#Featured: 4 equal - stretched

[otomobilhaber]

21 Photos That Might Make You Laugh For Once In Your Life

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. 1. Image with share buttons A small river named Duden flows. Source: MediaSource Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live…

[corvusphilia]

★ HOW THEY ACT WHEN THEY HAVE A CRUSH (KARASUNO EDITION)

୨ৎ featuring: daichi sawamura, koshi sugawara, asahi azumane, yuu nishinoya, ryunosuke tanaka, tobio kageyama, shoyo hinata, kei tsukishima, tadashi yamaguchi, keishin ukai

୨ৎ notes: first post!! rq are open guys send shit IN (omg haikyuu blog in 2024!!???). also yes i plan on writing crush headcanons for the other teams as well :>

also worth mentioning this is NOT timeskip and reader is implied to be around the same age as the characters (so highschool for most and adult for ukai)

i was gonna write for the girls as well but ive been writing this for the past 4 days and im tired 😭

★ DAICHI SAWAMURA ?!

He genuinely thinks acting like he's your dad or something is a good way of flirting. Sugawara teases him about it constantly. "Do you want to ask them out on a date or to sign adoption papers?"

And I don't mean it only in the cute way. He will scold you if you forget your jacket or something. But the words quickly catch in his throat when he gives you his and you put it on for the first time. Maybe you should keep forgetting yours, actually. For no reason. No reason at all.

Will bring extra food in case you're still hungry by the end of recess. Even makes mental notes about your favorites. This guy is a GENTLEMAN.

While he does reprimand you, it's nothing like he does to his team or his friends. In fact, he seems to calm down whenever you come into the picture. Nishinoya and Tanaka absolutely take advantage of it.

Suga might be the vice-captain, but the team treats you like the second in command. Doesn't matter if you're not part of the team or even a manager. You're now the second parent by correlation.

Speaking of which, Sugawara and Asahi absolutely play wingmen. Suga will come off a bit too strongly, talking about how Daichi is such a catch and you two would make such a cute couple, while Asahi sounds like he's doing a job interview in Daichi's name, listing all his positive qualities and whatnot. Their hearts are in the right place, at least.

He doesn't hesitate much before asking you out. He doesn't want to risk ruining your friendship, but he doesn't want to live with the regret of what could have been if he gave it a shot, either.

The sun was lazily setting in the horizon, painting the sky pleasant hues of orange and pink. It wasn't unusual for Daichi to walk you home — he insisted on it whenever he had the time, even he meant he would only get to his house past nightfall —, but he was weidly quiet. He smiled calmly when you questioned him on it, giving you a look and a sigh.

He came to a stop, standing in front of you. He took a deep breath before reaching into his bag, grabbing what looked like a note and holding it in both hands before stretching it towards you and bowing politely. His grasp was slightly shaky.

"I've been meaning to ask you this for a while..." He started, his voice soft, keeping his gaze on the ground. Maybe he was just being overly polite, or maybe he was a bit too scared to look you in the eyes. "You make me... incredibly happy, Y/N. I would like to do the same for you. If you'll let me, that is." He finally glanced up, looking at you through his eyelashes and his posture still low, his eyes filled equally with nervousness and hope. "I don't want to leave any doubts, so... I'll just go ahead and say it. Will you be mine?"

★ KOSHI SUGAWARA ?!

This guy is so whipped, it's not even funny. He doesn't even officially ask you out because he makes it so obvious he likes you. Like, c'mon, EVERYONE can tell he wants to marry you already.

The type to run up to you just to give you something he grabbed or bought because it made him think of you. Which happens very often, because he thinks of you all the time.

Very affectionate. Holds your hand whenever you two walk somewhere and hugs you as a greeting and as goodbye. Might even slip in a kiss on your cheek if he's feeling a little silly.

And god forbid some poor bastard mentions your name in a five mile radius of him. This motherfucker will take any chance he can get to yap about how amazing you are and how much he adores you and—

SO supportive. Genuinely, he thinks you're so talented in everything you do. If you have a specific thing you're passionate about, be ready for him to be bragging to everybody about it. More proud of your accomplishments than his own.

Straight up introduces you to people as his significant other after some time. What? He never asked to be your boyfriend? Well, it's not like you were gonna say no anyway, so...

"Y/N!" The cold winter air causes little wisps of smoke to form from his mouth as he runs over to you through the courtyard, an infectious smile on his face. He stops right in front of you, resting his hands on his knees for just a few seconds to catch his breath before holding out a bouquet in your direction. Roses, baby's breath, and cornflowers.

His smile grows even more when you grab it, a snicker escaping him at the slightly flushed look on your face. "So pretty, right? I saw it and thought of you, so obviously I had to get it." He explains, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Don't look at the price tag, I forgot to take it off." He adds.

He waves a hand dismissively at your 'thank you'. "Don't mention it. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't get you something nice every now and then?" He mentions casually, and lets out a thoughtful hum when you mention that you two are, in fact, not officially dating.

"I guess I did never outright say it, huh? That's my mistake." For some reason, he doesn't sound bothered or reluctant at all. Instead, he grabs your hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Well, no reason to waste even more time. Come on, let me take you on our first official date."

★ ASAHI AZUMANE ?!

He doesn't flirt, let's get that out of the way. His idea of hitting on you is looking at you from a distance while praying you have more balls than him and will take initiative.

If you don't really know each other much, he's scared you'll be put off by his appearance and size. If you do, he's scared you think he's too much of a coward and have no interest.

His insecurities play a huge role in his reluctance. He thinks you're so pretty, and smart, and talented, and he's... well, himself. It's almost difficult to tell if he likes you or not, because while he is polite whenever you interact, he acts that way with everyone (who takes the time to actually speak with him, that is), and he actually seems to avoid you whenever possible, too.

Gets desperate enough he asks everyone in the team for advice. Daichi just says to "Be yourself", to which Suga gives him a side eye with a "Yeah, I don't think that'll work" comment, and the two start arguing rather than actually helping the poor guy out.

Nishinoya and Tanaka are... less than helpful, as you might imagine. Kageyama and Hinata don't know the first thing about dating, and he wasn't about to ask Tsukishima, either. Surprisingly (or not), the good advice came from Yagamuchi and Kiyoko.

It basically summed up to the fact that he needs to make his move before someone else does. Nothing too dramatic, but enough to let you know he's serious about it. At the end of the day, they had a 5 steps plan written out.

He had everything set to go, even went as far as to memorize a script he practiced in front of the mirror a few times this morning. However, when he finally stood in front of you, the sun of the afternoon hitting your features just right, his mind went blank.

"Huh..." He was slightly hunched over, absentmindedly fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He quickly cleared his throat, seemingly remembering he couldn't just stand there looking at you like a creep, and reached inside his bag to pull out a small, heart-shaped chocolate box. He took a deep, shaky breath.

"I-I, huh... I need to tell you something..." He starts nervously, his brown eyes finally meeting yours, filled with fear and sincerity. "I... I've liked you for a while now, and..." That is not the script he planned out. "You're always on my mind. W-when I'm with you, everything just feels right. I don't really know how to say this, I'm probably making a fool out of myself, but... I like you. A lot."

★ YUU NISHINOYA ?!

This fucking guy has no shame whatsoever. Quite literally asked you to go out with him before he even told you his name. I firmly believe he's a love-at-first-sight kind of dude.

Now, how things progress depends highly on your reaction. If you're a bit shy, he thinks it's the cutest thing ever, but he will take it down a notch to not make you uncomfortable. Will still flirt, don't get me wrong, but a bit more lowkey. If you just accept or — god forbid — flirt back, he shortcuts. A hot person?? Likes HIM??? WHAT.

Like, all of his previous bravado is out the window if you accept. He flirts with a few people, sure, but he never actually expects to go anywhere. It's just kind of a fact that he's going to get turned down. So when things actually go right he doesn't know what to do anymore.

It doesn't last too long, though. After he takes a few minutes for his mind to process what just happened, he's bouncing off the walls.

SO protective. We've seen it with Kiyoko. Anytime a guy looks at you for just a little too long he's growling and foaming at the mouth. Better keep him from biting anyone's ankles.

"Wow, you're SUPER pretty!" The boy stated enthusiastically, stars in his eyes as he stares at you intently, seemingly trying to commit every detail to memory. You've seen him around, usually near the gym, but it looks like this is the first time he has seen you.

He takes a step closer, determination written all over his face. "Will you go out with me?" He asks a bit loudly and suddenly. When your face flushes, he takes a small step back, chuckling. "Ah— I'm Yuu Nishinoya, by the way! Probably should've said that first."

He nods happily when you introduce yourself as well, his eagerness returning to the surface. "Well, you didn't really answer me, so I'll ask again — wanna go out with me?" He repeats, half cocky half sheepish. However, his entire face falls when you give a positive response.

His eyes are wide and he just stares at you, mouth slightly agape. When you question if he's feeling well, his ears flush red as he seems to have find his voice again. "A-ARE YOU SERIOUS!? You said yes!? Wha— am I dreaming? I'm dreaming, aren't I!?" Despite the disbelief in his voice, he's smiling — a huge, excited, thankful smile. He's not leaving your side anytime soon.

★ RYUNOSUKE TANAKA ?!

Since I already covered love at first sight with Noya and we've already seen how he's like with Kiyoko, I'm going down a different route: friends to lovers. Also because this specific trope with him makes me SICK /pos.

He's a friendly guy when you get to know him and past his badboy persona, so he has many friends I feel like. He initially treats you like he does the others, being his usual weird ass self we all know and love.

But one time he sees you laugh at one of his shenanigans and he just pauses. Oh. Oh. This is not good.

Have you always been so pretty? I mean, he already knew you were, but this is another level. Now you're like, angelic. Ethereal, even. What just happened.

Immediately runs to Noya because he doesn't know what to do or even think. He just sees you as a friend, right? A close friend. A hot, funny, amazing, kissable friend. Yeah, that doesn't sound right even to him when he says it outloud.

Doesn't take long for him to come to terms with it honestly and the entire team has to hold him back from proposing to you the next time he sees you.

He waits by the classroom's door, an uncharacteristically nervous look in his eyes. He sucks in a sharp breath when the bell rings and you stand from your desk, slinging your bag over your shoulder while making your way to the exit. "Y/N." He calls out to gain your attention, and his face immediately flushes when you look at him.

Your eyes are so beautiful it's unfair. He lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in. "Will you ma—" He pauses, looking at something right behind you. You look back to see Nishinoya half-hiding behind a wall, shaking his head 'No' quickly. Tanaka clears his throat and you look back at him. "... I-I mean, will you... Go out with me? Maybe? Please?"

He sounds almost pleading and a little unsure. He stutters an explanation when he notices your taken aback expression. "I know this came outta nowhere and I know we're like, best buds or whatever, but... God, I really wanna kiss you." His face goes bright red when he realizes what he just said and he starts rambling another flustered excuse. How cute.

★ TOBIO KAGEYAMA ?!

A little like Asahi, he just kind of stares at you from a distance and hope you get the hint. Totally unware of the fact he has a major resting bitch face and is looking at you so aggressively it looks like he's thinking about beating your ass after school or something.

Completely oblivious to the fact he likes you. He's never liked anyone before. His entire life has always been volleyball this and volleyball that — he doesn't know the first thing about crushes.

Surprisingly thoughtful, though. The type to get you your favorite drink from the vending machine when he goes to grab his milk box. He doesn't even think much about it, it's just so natural to him.

Also very perceptive. He comes off as an airhead most of the time, but when it comes to volleyball, he's incredibly observant. Now he's the same way with you as well. Always knows what you're feeling before you have to say anything or if you need something.

And that's how everyone else realizes he likes you and tell him about it (because again, he genuinely could not tell that his feelings are romantic on his own. How can someone be so smart and so dumb at the same time).

He's in denial for a good while, but the more he thinks about it, the more sense it makes. Some teammates try to give him advice (because they don't trust him at all to do this by himself), but in the end he ignores all of it and just says what feels right at the time.

"I swear, you'd be helpless without me." He grumbles, dragging you away from the confrontation, his hand firmly but not tightly wrapped around your wrist. Karasuno had a game against another school, and one of the guys from said school apparently thought you were really cute. So much so he was trying everything to get your contact information before Tobio stepped in.

Just thinking about the situation pisses him off. He scoffs, squeezing your wrist slightly, but there's something more than just frustration on his face. Doubt, perhaps? He looks back at you, eyebrows furrowed. "You weren't really thinking about giving him your number, were you?" He asks, his voice almost too soft before it rises in tone again.

"I mean, he's average looking at best, and a shit player, and... And I'm better!" He blurted, cheeks flushing slightly. He averts his gaze, his thumb grazing over your knuckles. "So... Just give me your number, dumbass."

★ SHOYO HINATA ?!

I need to mention, he looks like he's so easy to fall in love with. Like he's so kind and considerate and with a high emotional intelligence. Very much boyfriend material I wish more people would see him like that instead of an uwu baby yk.

Anyway, back on track. I feel like he'd fluctuate between shy and bold a lot. Like, if you flirt or give hints that you might like him back, he's blushing and kicking his feet and shit, but it is very much not uncommon for him to take initiative.

Especially after matches. The adrenaline is still pumping in his veins and he barely even registers that maybe he's being a bit forward.

If you don't know him really well it's a bit difficult to tell that he has feelings because he's just. so nice. to everyone. But if you do, it's hard to miss the tenderness in his eyes everytime he looks at you.

Insists you come to his games. It's simple math in his head: the two things he loves the most (aside from, yknow, his mom and sister and all that) are volleyball and you, so if he can just mix them together, he'll be the happiest guy in the planet.

It was a tough game — Karasuno barely managed to win right during the last set. The winning point was, of course, scored by Shoyo. The crowd was cheering, his teammates screaming loudly and gathering around him, but in the middle of the ruckus, his eyes are fixated on a single someone.

He dodged Nishinoya and Tanaka and, to the team's confusion, ran towards the stands. It wasn't until everyone say you simultaneously running in his direction that they understood what was going on. Shoyo practically pounced on you, wrapping his arms around your torso tightly and doing his best to lift you and give you a little spin, almost knocking both of you to the ground in his attempt.

His smile was bright enough to outshine the sun. He pulled away just a little so he could look you in the eyes, the two of you still intertwined. "Thank you so much for being here!" He exclaimed, like his success was solely due to you — to your presence. The look in his eyes was a little different as he leaned in slightly before hesitating. Daichi called him over so they could formally bid farewell to the other team, and he gave you a final squeeze before reluctantly pulling away. "Wait for me, okay? I'll walk you home today!"

★ KEI TSUKISHIMA ?!

This fucking guy is so in denial. No, I'm serious, he'd rather eat glass than admit that he likes somebody. He's always seen relationships and especially crushes as a waste of time and energy, things he couldn't be bothered to spare.

So he's extra mean when he realizes he likes you. Is it an attempt to push you away? Kind of. Is it because he genuinely kind of hates you for the way you make him feel? A little. Is it because he's secretly an awkward motherfucker that doesn't know a thing about how to be romantic? Mostly.

News flash: it doesn't work, independently of your reaction. If you just ignore him and don't give him a reaction, he's frustrated but grows to respect you even more for dealing with his sassy ass with that much grace. If you get sad, he feels genuinely bad for the first time in his life. If you get angry, turns out you look really damn cute when pissed off and that's not helping his case either. If you sass him back, he might just get on one knee.

So he just... gives up. He still teases and pokes fun at you, obviously, but now it doesn't sound as mean. If anything, it's friendly banter. He can't deny that he enjoys having you around.

It raised some eyebrows when Tsukishima told everyone he was leaving practice early because he was helping you study. Hinata and Kageyama had to practically get on their knees and beg him to tutor them, and even then, he always looked so annoyed doing it. With you, he almost had a little smile on his face. Almost.

He snapped his fingers in front of your face a few times. "Hey, idiot, pay attention." He scolded, pointing back to the open book in front of you. "I'm not explaining it a second time." He added, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

He can't help the small grin that forms on his face when you whine about his 'mean' treatment. "You haven't seen me being mean yet, pipsqueak." He teased, looking down at you through his glasses. He exhales through his nose in an almost-laugh, his voice dropping just barely over a whisper, a tenderness in his tone you're not really familiar with. "You're lucky I kinda like you."

★ TADASHI YAMAGUCHI ?!

Dude is SO flustered around you, like, constantly. Like can-barely-get-a-sentence-out typa shit. Kei has to verbally smack him and tell him to fucking get it together — he's not gonna win you over by being a wuss (or maybe he will, who knows what you're into).

But that's mostly during the honeymoon stage. After the butterflies in his stomach start to go away, they're replaced by a deep sense of comfort whenever he's around you.

Takeda said that Tadashi would have the least trouble out of everyone when it came to dating and he was RIGHT. This guy is such a sweetie. Always saving you a seat and sharing his lunch with you and just watching out for you in general. He's so considerate :(

You make him not so insecure anymore and that's all he could have asked for. Whenever he messes up or just acts like a dork, he feels his heart drop thinking that he messes up any chance he might have had with you, but when you just smile and reassure him he falls in love all over again.

Tadashi has been profusely apologizing to you for the past fifteen minutes now, no matter how many times you tried to insist that it's fine. He was practicing his serves and you were unfortunate enough to get a ball right to the back of the head, and he rushed you to the nurse's office immediately despite you saying it didn't hurt that much.

"I'm so sorry, I promise it was an accident!" He said for what must have been the third time. There wasn't much that the nurse could do aside from giving you headache medicine and telling you to lie down for a while, and he decided to miss practice so he could stay with you while you rested.

"Does it hurt?" He questioned, his eyes soft and full of worry, and his shoulders tensed a little at your answer of 'kinda'. He grabbed your hand, idly playing with your fingers, either to calm you or himself down. "... I want to make it up to you somehow." He stated gently, not daring to look at you. "... I'll walk you home and buy you a snack from the convenience store, okay? You can ask for whatever you want, no matter the price." He paused, then added with a sheepish smile, "Well... Maybe the price matters a little bit."

★ KEISHIN UKAI ?!

Listen. He definitely looks like he has rizz. Does he actually? No. Absolutely not. Like, he has so much negative rizz it does a full spin and actually works out. Absolute man failure.

Deadass the kind to do that yawn and arm around your shoulder thing and think he's nailing it. Like, dude you're not THAT old, c'mon now.

Fluctuates between being a gentleman and just being a scrub a lot. Will open the car door and pull a chair for you only to light up a cigarette and not notice the smoke is going straight in your direction until you start coughing.

He does try, though. Definitely makes an effort to take you on a nice date whenever his money allows it (and sometimes when it doesn't). He's had flings before, sure, but you're special and he doesn't want to mess it up like he always does.

You barely heard the doorbell ringing with the sound of the rain hitting your roof. When you opened it, Keishin stood there, absolutely drenched in a dress shirt and an undone tie around his neck, water dripping down from his hair to his face as he holds out a bouquet in your direction. He sighs deeply.

"I wanted to surprise you, but my car broke down halfway here and then this fuckin' rain hit." He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. You told him to come inside and grabbed him a towel, and he started to dry his hair before sitting on the couch when he was sure he wasn't dripping water all over the place anymore.

He glanced at you, a somewhat guilty look on his face. "... Sorry I messed it up. I wanted to do something nice for once, but..." He trailed off. You sat next to him, a hand on his shoulder as you reassured him it was okay. When you suggested watching a movie since he was already here anyway, he perked up, almost like an invisible tail started wagging behind him. "Really?" He questioned, a bit baffled before trying to hold back a smile as he relaxed next to you, reaching an arm around your shoulders. "... That doesn't sound half bad, doll face."

© ─ corvusphilia ; do not steal, copy, edit, translate or reupload

thanks for reading!

[vanteguccir]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤALWAYS YOURS * CHRIS STURNIOLO

SUMMARY　::　where Y/N and Chris are secretly in love, but Chris is the one that acts shy around her; OR 4 times Chris loved Y/N from afar and 1 time he didn't.

FEATURING　Chris Sturniolo x reader　REQUESTED?　yes.

WARNINGS　::　none.

AUTHOR'S NOTE　::　that is my work, I DON'T authorize any form of plagiarism; copy, "inspiration" or translation! | english isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

Y/N and Nick had been inseparable since they were children, having grown up together in Boston, their bond of friendship was the strongest among all others. Nick was the type of boy who exuded energy and extroversion, while Y/N was more thoughtful and quiet, and the two of them fit together perfectly.

So, when the triplets decided to move to Los Angeles to better advance their career on YouTube, the girl went with them. Her high school years were over, and, as luck would have it, she had received her acceptance letter to the LA college she wanted to attend.

Obviously, her closeness with Nick throughout her life brought her close to Matt and Chris equally, as the three of them came as a complete package to any relationship, regardless of which trype it was.

The only difference was that with Chris, things were different. A strange and unfamiliar feeling grew more and more inside Y/N's heart whenever he was around, making her blush and stumble over her own words. It didn't take her long to realize that she was madly in love with the youngest triplet, but the fear of rejection prevented her from confessing her feelings.

What Y/N didn't know was that Chris also had deep feelings for her. However, he was also paralyzed by the fear of ruining his friendship with Y/N, or worse, destabilizing the girl's friendship with his brother if his feelings weren't reciprocated. So the two were content to flirt shyly and exchanging furtive glances and meaningful smiles that spoke volumes about their feelings.

But there was something more, something that everyone but Y/N seemed to notice. When she was around, Chris transformed completely. His posture softened, his smile became more genuine, and his eyes shone with a special tenderness reserved just for her. He became more embarrassed and cautious, as if he was afraid of messing up in front of the person he secretly loved.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

1. Shyness

The sun was beginning to peek shyly through the window curtains when Y/N woke up. She snuggled under the sheets for a moment, enjoying the feeling of comfort. With a soft yawn, the girl got up from the bed and stretched momentarily before putting on the Fresh Love hoodie that was on her gaming chair, throwing her hair up in a quick ponytail.

Y/N walked down the stairs of the floor she shared with Nick towards the kitchen, following the tempting aroma of fresh coffee and warm toast.

Inside the kitchen, Matt was talking about a movie he watched the night before, Saltburn, while Chris laughed loudly at the faces of disgust and strangeness Nick displayed at certain scenes.

"Wait, you reminded me of a TikTok I saw yesterday!" Exclaimed Chris, his eyes shining with excitement. "It was from a guy who apparently wrote a song about a girl who looks innocent but ha-"

Before he could continue, Y/N entered the room with a smile on her face.

"Good morning, boys!"

Chris's face instantly turned a bright shade of red, and he swallowed hard, abruptly stopping talking. He looked down at his plate with a sudden intensity, as if he were trying to concentrate on each bite of his food.

"Good morning, Y/N." Nick smiled, breaking the brief moment of awkward silence. Matt just nodded, chewing on the piece of toast he had in his mouth.

Y/N approached the counter behind the table, noticing the sudden discomfort in the air but choosing not to comment on it.

"What was the TikTok about, Chris?" She asked softly with her back turned to them, standing on tiptoes and opening one of the cabinets above the stove, retrieving her favorite mug.

"I... Um." He fake coughed, clearing his throat. "I think I... forgot." The last word came out in a subtle whisper.

Y/N smiled, feeling the skin of her face burn at the thought of how shy the boy became in her presence, shaking her head quickly to shake off the thoughts when Nick started talking again, bringing up another topic.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

2. Admiring from afar

The Space Camp Wellness studio was filled with vibrant energy as Nick, Chris, Matt, and Y/N prepared for yet another promotional photo shoot. Nick, as the founder of the lip balm brand, was busy adjusting the final details, while Y/N was preparing to be one of the models in that series of pictures that would be used to promote the new line.

Sitting on the other side of the room, Chris, Matt, and Nick exchanged hushed murmurs among themselves, discussing the details of what the next steps for Nick's brand would be. However, to Chris, the sounds seemed distant, completely muffled to his ears.

His eyes remained fixed on the girl, watching every movement she made as she changed her positions. He couldn't shake the feeling that the whole world seemed brighter when she was around, his heart beating wildly against his chest.

"Chris, you're drooling again." Matt teased, giving the boy a playful poke in the shoulder.

Chris blinked, brought back to reality by his words. He blushed slightly, embarrassed at being caught.

"Shut the fuck up, I'm not drooling." He barked back, trying to hide his flushed state.

"Oh, come on, Chris. Everyone knows you're head over heels in love with Y/N." Nick laughed loudly, exchanging knowing glances with Matt.

Chris squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, trying to find a suitable response to his brothers' teasing. He knew he couldn't deny his feelings for Y/N, but he also didn't want to make the situation more awkward than it already was.

"You two are ridiculous." He grumbled, looking at Y/N again.

His eyes widened when he saw her already watching them, her gaze carrying a curiosity as to why they were laughing so loud - not that it was something strange coming from the brothers.

The brunette quickly turned his neck to the side, focusing his eyes on a random place while scratching his stubble, gulping loudly.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

3. Acts of service

The frigid air of Boston circulated Y/N as she walked alongside the triplets, enveloped by the welcoming atmosphere of their hometown. The night was particularly cold, with a biting breeze that made everyone shrink into themselves for warmth.

"Oh my God, it's so cold!" Y/N commented, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm them a little.

Chris, who was next to her on the outside of the sidewalk, immediately noticed her cheeks flushed by the wind. He frowned, feeling a tightening of concern in his chest when he saw her body shaking slightly, being covered only by a long-sleeved blouse and thin leggings.

"Here." The boy said, taking off his hockey jersey and offering it to her. "You can use this to protect yourself from the cold."

Y/N widened her eyes in surprise, stopping her steps abruptly.

"But what about you, Chris? You're going to be cold-" Chris shook his head, cutting her off.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle the cold better than you can. Besides, you need to stay warm or you will cath the flu."

Finally convinced, but still reluctant, Y/N accepted the jersey, feeling the comforting warmth that emanated from the fabric as she took it in her hands. She smiled wide at Chris, slipping it over her shoulders, his Dior parfume automatically filling her nostrils, warming her heart.

Chris watched in silence as Y/N wrapped herself in his jersey, name and number clearly visible on her back, lightly covered by the strands of her loose hair. An intense blush took over his cheeks, a feeling of heat different from the cold taking over his body.

He felt his heart speed up to a thousand miles per hour, pressing his lips into a thin line to stop the involuntary smile.

"It looks good on you. Better than on me."

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

4. Distraction

The kitchen of the triplets' house was full of energy as the brothers prepared to record another Wednesday video for their YouTube channel. Nick adjusted the camera and arranged the equipment while Chris and Matt arranged themselves in the two chairs behind the wooden table, facing the tripod.

Chris, especially, was beaming with enthusiasm, his words flowing with energy as he addressed the camera after Nick positioned himself behind the two, giving the go-ahead to begin recording.

"What's up, guys? Welcome back to our YouTube channel! Today, we have a-"

He was in the middle of introducing the theme when Y/N passed through the divide between the living room and kitchen, her hands holding her phone and her eyes fixed on the screen, heading towards the stairs that led to her shared floor with Nick.

Chris's gaze instinctively shifted towards her, his heart racing almost automatically as his pupils seemed to take the shape of a little heart, his eyes following her every step and his mouth opening slightly.

His brothers, noticing Chris's sudden distraction, began laughing, teasing him as he struggled to regain focus.

"Wow, Chris, I think someone's a little distracted." Matt, who was sitting next to him, joked, receiving a hard slap on the shoulder in response.

Chris blushed a red hue, embarrassed at being caught. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to hide his state as he tried to remember what he was about to say.

"Hm..." He cleared his throat, still a little disconcerted. "Where did I stop?"

Nick laughed louder, stumbling back and slamming his back against the stove, cursing loudly as he tried to steady his balance.

"You were talking about the challenge we're going to do today, but I think you were more interested in keeping up with Y/N ​​than recording the video." Matt scoffed, smirking to the lens.

Chris shook his head, adjusting the cap over his hair in an act of nervousness, his mind still a little clouded by the sight of Y/N.

Needless to say, he got almost every picture of the challenge wrong, his mind replaying the image of the girl he loved over and over for the rest of the day.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

5. When he finally makes a move

The night silently enveloped the house, as Chris found himself lost in his own thoughts, his body lying flat on his bed and his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He knew it was time to finally confront his feelings for Y/N and express the love he had been secretly holding onto for so long. However, he was feeling completely lost on how to do it.

With his heart beating wildly in his chest, the boy decided to seek advice from Matt. His brother always knew what to say. Chris walked quickly up the stairs, going to Matt's bedroom door, knocking gently with his closed fist against the wood before turning the handle, opening it.

"Matt?" He asked, his voice slightly shaking with anxiety as his eyes darted around the room, quickly finding the boy in his gaming chair, playing something on his computer. "Can I talk to you?"

Matt looked up, frowning in concern when he noticed the boy's distressed eyes.

"Of course, did something happen?"

Chris entered the room, closing the door behind him and walking over to the bed, sitting on the edge in front of his computer desk.

"Nothing happened, I just... need some advice." Chris began, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment at being so vulnerable. "I've finally accepted that I love Y/N, but I don't know how to tell her... I'm scared of ruining everything, Matt."

Matt smiled slightly, taking the headphones off his head and placing it on the keyboard before moving the chair so that he was facing Chris.

"Why don't you write her a letter?" Matt shrugged, crossing his arms and watching his reactions.

"A letter? Isn't that too old-fashioned?" The youngest frowned, pushing his bangs back with his right hand, expanding his vision.

"With every girl you've ever been with, you've always been direct, unrestricted, and unromantic. But with Y/N ​​it's different, right?"

"She's not just another one, Matt." Chris rolled his eyes, feeling disgusted as he remembered all the times that he tried to erase his feelings for Y/N.

"Exactly, so treat her like she isn't, be romantic and different, surprise her."

It took days for Chris to finally have the courage to open his heart in a letter. He wasn't used to revealing his feelings often, so writing them down on paper was harder than it seemed. But the day finally arrived, and surprisingly, it didn't take more than an hour for Chris to finish his words.

The brunette spent the rest of that day wandering around his room while carrying the letter hidden in the front pocket of his hoodie, looking for the ideal moment to give it to Y/N.

His courage to hand it to her face to face was almost non-existent, and that's why he used the only moment when the girl moved from her room to Nick's. With shaking hands, he placed the letter on Y/N's bed, leaving it in a place where she would certainly find it.

One last look at it, and Chris turned abruptly, running back to his own room with his face flushed with shyness and anxiety.

Meanwhile, Y/N returned to her room, unaware of the surprise that awaited her. Her heart beat with strange anticipation as she approached, immediately noticing the letter carefully left there.

Hesitantly, Y/N took it, feeling the weight of the paper in her hands. She took a deep breath before opening it, her eyes widening comically as she recognized the handwriting, her eyes running quickly through the words with a mix of surprise and excitement.

As she read Chris's passionate declaration, Y/N's heart seemed to expand in her chest, overflowing with all the best feelings.

To my Y/N,

I am completely sure that I have loved you since the moment I understood the meaning of the word love. I remember the day I noticed that I felt something different about you; we were 14 years old and you showed up at our house to spend the day with Nick, and as soon as you saw me, you smiled the most beautiful and wide smile I've ever seen, taking away all my breath.

Whenever I go to sleep I think about you and, maybe, an us, wondering if you feel the same. And whenever I wake up, I can only imagine what it would be like to have you on the other side of the bed, forever in my arms.

What would it be like to have you? This probably sounds cliché and ridiculous, but I created a whole imagination of what it would be like, and I know it would be a dream come true.

And I tried so hard to resist it, out of pure fear and cowardice of losing you and your company, but resisting you became my most difficult task.

Everything about you makes me feel more alive and lighter. The sound of your voice seems to silence all the noise in my head, and your smile erases all the bad smoke in the world around me. And suddenly there's only you.

If you gave me the chance, I would make you feel everything and much more than you already made me feel.

Say the word and I'll be your yours.

Always,

Chris.

Y/N remained static for long minutes, letting the magnitude of what she had just read sink into her heart and mind. She felt her fingertips numb and her heart racing so much that she was almost sure it would jump out of her chest and run to wherever Chris was.

And then, with renewed determination, the girl got up from her bed, running downstairs towards Chris's room, goosebumps rising through her body in anticipation.

Upon arriving at the door of the room she dreamed of being able to live in one day, Y/N raised her closed fist, knocking it against the wood with nervousness, anxiously waiting for an answer.

When Chris opened it, their eyes met in a moment of pure connection, and Y/N knew it was the right thing to do.

"Chris." She began, her voice soft but shaky. "I love you too."

© vanteguccir

[lemurballing]

This is stupid:

buuuut it still works cause tangle is awesome :] i direct you to issue 37, where tangle does this:

at face value, heck yeah!! using her tail as a pulley system to tie up the boat?? so clever :) (and being able to wrap her tail around all that after the boat starts falling, before it loses much height - that’s very fast, accurate tail extension! what if she’d accidentally bonked her tail into any of those metal beams down there instead of going between them? she wouldn’t have made it in time if she did bonk!)

but you look closer… and it might not be that clever. in fact, it looks like a mistake.

(at the dark purple question mark, her tail’s path isn’t very clear. i went with ‘repeating the pattern’ around a part of the boat we couldn’t see in blue, which would then wrap around at the angle you see her tail stretch left, out from the question mark.)

it’s wrapped around the whole boat, so where’s the problem…?

the problem is: leverage (or whatever the word is for pulleys & ropes).

in the leftmost diagram, we see the dots - the anchor points of the rope - are at equal height. at a resting point, they will both hold the weight up with their own material integrity; that is, it will stay at the resting height unless the material breaks.

in the middle diagram, the ‘anchor point’ for the right rope has moved lower; the bar it holds the weight up towards is far lower, and the excess is wrapped over to tie to the ground. again, at resting position, it will remain there while the material holds.

in the right diagram, the rope arrangament is the same as the middle one, but now we’re applying pull force to bring the weight upwards. at this level, due to where the right rope is ‘anchored’ on the bar, no matter what force is applied, it cannot raise the weight any higher than that bar - only the rope on the left could pull it higher, or support its weight in a higher position.

applied to this situation:

the blue sections are parts where tangle’s tail can support the boat just by wrapping around and staying in place, pretty much; it’s a net woven around that just needs to not slip. the orange sections are where the only provable anchor point above the boat is tangle herself! (and i will note that the way she’s holding her tail here, her tail is almost certainly not the limb doing most of the pulling - for it to angle so much before and after her grip on it, it can’t be tensed. to better clarify - if you have long hair, and something pulls on your hair, it pulls your scalp. unless you grab your hair with a hand and pull it closer to your scalp, and then all the active tension is redirected through your arms.)

which means that for the boat to stay where it is - above the ‘blue level’ - tangle is actively pulling it higher! pulling the entire weight of the boat up.

so how hard is this - how heavy is the boat? in this panel, it looks like a relatively small boat; maybe a dinghy? dinghies can have those ribbed sides, and are generally round, and it could weigh somewhere between 100-200lbs, and be a little tough to carry…

nope! it is some type of motor boat (perhaps a skiff). you can see a propeller under the ‘cinch’, so it has a motor… and if you look at the rest of the page, it has at least 7 seats (presumably 8), so it has to be large enough to hold at least 7 people!

i’m not acquainted with boats so i had to do some digging - and most of the ones i found at first had consoles/raised walls/less seats than this one, which weren’t exactly a fair weight comparison. i also didn’t want to try to calculate precisely how long this boat is, since the angles are off and hard to calculate from this perspective.

so, instead i looked at a few different types of boat to get rough estimated of weights, and then i’d roughly downsize that based off estimates of how much smaller a boat for ~3ft people needs to be!

i went through a handful of similar motorboats (mostly 1-4 people, but with added physical features to add weight) and found weights between 1,000lb to 2,000lb depending on length (18-22+ feet). a yamaha 195S is 19’5” long, and 2,509lb - but a nitro z18 is 18’8” and 1,700lb. the only good visualizers i found were charts for what motor horsepower to use for what length and weight:

so it was super hard to get a good estimate of the weight here!! like super hard!! so i’m just doing a vague whatever conservative estimate and someone else can do proper math!!!

if you half the length to a presumed 10ft long - which i’m not sure is properly long enough for this boat, i’d guess somewhere between 12-15ft - and then quarter the 20ft weight to try to account for the square-cube law, you get a guesstimate of a boat weighing about 500lb. if you’re conservative with it, maybe 400lb?

which, to keep from tipping out away from the metal cradle, lowering to the level of tangle’s tail wrapped around underneath, & be held upright as tangle is doing, has to be fully supported - and as noted earlier, without real assistance from tangle’s tail’s strength, this is just her arms.

now, you could assume tangle simply wrapped that mystery segment of tail around the cradle bar she’s standing on, and this would allow much more of the boat’s weight to be supported by her tail’s structure… but it’d have to be an awkward angle for her tail to do that and it to not be visible next to her feet or in the empty space to the right, which would also put some more of the strain on her arms/body instead of her tail, so she’d stil be doing a lot!

and especially if you estimate the boat closer to 12-15ft, which is closer to 600-750lb, that gets crazier…

PLUS the fact that she had to hold that weight up for at LEAST as long to ask them to hurry & tie the boat up, AND as long as it took for the others to actually work something up/fix the cradle to hold the boat and relieve tangle of it.

conclusion: this is canon

[lokisprettygirl]

My Love is mine, All mine (18+) (CEO! Daemon Targaryen x Female Reader) (Non Canon -Modern AU)

Read Chapter 4 here // Series Masterlist

Chapter 5 (Last)

Summary : You leave Daemon to protect him from your insecurities and to find some answers.

Warning: 18+, smut, insecurities, miscarriage , mention of abuse, smoking, extreme insecurities and trust issues, mention of infertility, reader has anxiety, mention of infidelity.

Note: I had plans to keep it short and for once I have succeeded as I didn't want to stretch the story unnecessarily. For once I have no idea what I'm going to write next but hopefully the inspiration will strike soon. Thank you to everyone who read and supported this story ❤️🙏🏻

Daemon never realized how loud he was being with his laptop keys whenever he was stressed out of his mind, you were living in one room apartment with him and the sound awakened you at times while he was working on a presentation late at night.

As you sat up on the bed and watched Daemon frantically typing away on his laptop, you couldn't help but notice his thick luscious disheveled hair, no doubt the result of running his fingers through them in frustration, a smile graced your features as it only made you want to pull him in bed and cuddle him.

As you got off the bed, Daemon turned his head to look at you, his eyes locking onto yours. He could see the love and concern in them,

"Did I wake you, my love?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with worry.

Without a word, you walked closer to him and stood behind his chair to massage his tensed shoulders.

The silk nightwear you had on made him want to make love to you right now but he couldn't afford it at the moment, he was looking for a sponsor and he was failing miserably, he had spent his life savings into building and developing this product and the only reason he wasn't living on the streets was because you were here with him, supporting him in every possible way. Feeding him when he forgot to do so, paying the rent when he couldn't contribute, holding onto him when he was giving up on himself.

He snapped out of his thoughts as your fingers trailed down from his shoulder to his forearms slowly, you leaned down to press soft kisses on his neck, your scent made him lean back into the crook of your neck, perhaps he could just calm down, just for a moment

“How long?” you whispered in his ear so he brought his hand up to caress the side of your head.

“I can't sleep darling” his voice came out gravelly, full of tiredness that you just wanted to take away

“Mmmm i know”

You mumbled as you walked around the chair and sat down on his lap as you kissed him passionately, his arms quickly wrapped around your waist, fingers roamed all over as he kissed you with equal intensity.

“Do you have five minutes?” You asked him so he chuckled in response.

“Five minutes huh?”

“Mmmhm I can make you cum in five minutes” his breath hitched as you mumbled in his ear.

At times he felt like a perv, a selfish arse, a beautiful, sweet, young girl like you deserved the world that he wasn't offering you at all but those thoughts vanished as quickly as they would come whenever he felt your loving touch on his skin.

“Do it please” he almost whined in your ears and you were quick to shove your hand inside his pants to grab his cock, all he could do after that was lean back into the chair with his eyes closed and enjoy the moment, enjoy the fact that even at his worst he was blessed with a woman who he knew would never leave his side, no matter what.

Daemon immediately picked up his phone to give you a call as he didn't find you anywhere, members of the staff told him that they saw you leaving with a packed luggage and his heartbeat sped up. Where would you go without telling him and why? Your phone wasn't reachable so he seeked Otto as he knew you must have used his services to go wherever you wanted to go. Otto informed him that you had asked him to drop you at the nearest airport, his heart sank as he heard that, why would you go somewhere without telling him? What were you doing?

He was worried, anxious and was becoming increasingly terrified with every passing second.

The feelings of fear, anger, and confusion washed over him, and he felt powerless, he couldn't do anything but wait for you to get in touch and explain, but then his eyes fell upon the note you had left on the closet door and he was already assuming the worst even before he had read it.

“I am not going anywhere where you can't find me love but I really hope you won't, not for now at least. Before you start worrying let me tell you that I am not leaving forever, and I'm not going to go anything that would hurt you or us, none of that, I just want to love you the way you love me but I have been failing lately.

Everytime I have looked at you in the past few weeks, my eyes held a sense of suspicion, and that's really not fair to you my sweet husband, you're the best man there ever could be, the greatest indeed and I want to be able to treat you like that. Want to show you how much I appreciate you in my life and how lucky I am to have someone like you who's all for me, I want to be able to believe that you're all for me Daemon because I can't go on like this forever, i can't keep hurting you this way when I'm so clouded by my insecurities.

I know you're going to be hurt with my decision and I'd deserve it if you choose to be angry with me and punish me however you see fit but I'll give you a call as soon as I reach there and i hope you'd want to hear my voice because I do, i have not even left the house yet but I already miss you and I am going to miss you terribly.

Pretty sure I'm about to lose my job, luckily you're not my boss ;)

Happy birthday baby, I love you so much even if my actions say otherwise at times, I really do love you alot.

Forever Your wifey”

His eyes welled up as he finished reading the note. He waited anxiously for his phone to ring but two hours had passed already and he was losing patience. He looked around the room and it just seemed hollow without you, that's how you must feel too when he was gone on those long business trips he thought but then he went away for work, while you went away to escape him. This decision of yours had made him worried about your relationship with him, what if the distance makes you realize that he wasn't enough for you?

Or that he was too much for you?

As his phone rang he quickly pressed it up to his ear and sat up on the bed. He wasn't able to speak, there was a lump in his throat that was making him unable to speak to you.

“Dae?” You mumbled softly and immediately heard him sniffling on the other side,

“Comeeee back please darling please come back” his voice came out in broken whispers and in that moment you absolutely hated yourself, more than you usually did anyways.

“I will Daemon, i am not gone forever, did you read my letter?” You asked him softly so he sniffled once more as he wiped his tears.

“I did..I don't understand it darling, aren't we supposed to deal with this thing together?” he asked you, through thick and thin he vowed to be there for you so he wasn't wrong.

“We are together” you told him and the anxiety he had been feeling lessened slightly.

“You promise?”

“I promise..you're stuck with me forever” he couldn't help but chuckle as you said that to him.

“I sure hope so..are you going to tell me where you are?”

“Mmmm in Heathrow..to see my father”

Daemon went quiet for a moment as you said that, you had not spoken to him since he had cheated and divorced your mother.

“Why?”

“To get answers to questions I have never dared to ask..he's the main reason why I am the way I am”

“There's nothing wrong with you my love, not a thing” your eyes welled up again as he said that. Daemon wasn't a reason for your Insecurities, not once in your relationship with him he had made you feel anything but loved thoroughly.

“I love you, you know that right?”

“Then come back to me as soon as you can” his voice was pleading and almost begging for you to return to him.

“I will..soon i promise”

He sighed as he laid down on the bed, he didn't want to overwhelm you, it wasn't like you to take such steps so he knew he'd have to give you time to figure this out on your own if that's what you wanted.

“You were right about her darling” your heart stopped for a second as he spoke.

“What?”

“She's into me” he got worried as you didn't say anything for a good few seconds but then you responded exactly how he had imagined.

“I knew it, that fucking bitchhhh…what did she do?” You asked him so he sighed and sat up again as he detailed everything that had happened after you had left the office party.

“The audacity, I just knew I couldn't trust her”

“She was drunk but that's not an excuse to speak wrongly of my wife” he mumbled softly.

“You defended me? She wasn't completely wrong you know” you told him as you knew how unfair you have been to him in the past few days with your constant suspicions.

“Hey darling? I love you but shut up please”

.. The next few days he was in touch with you via calls only, you didn't even allow him to see you on Skype as you feared it would break your resolve. At the firm Daemon had a difficult decision to make with Sheena, he had given her a notice period so she could look for another job, he was even willing to write a recommendation letter as he didn't want to be cruel. Since that night she hadn't really looked him in the eye, perhaps she was embarrassed, or it was the guilt but he didn't want to speak to her about this.

“Sir, may I say something?” Sheena mumbled as she put the files down on his desk.

“Don't say anything, you're only going to make it worse and you still have to work here for a week”

She looked down as if she was ashamed, she was going to say something but he wasn't interested so she turned around to leave..

As she left he picked up his phone to give you a call and you picked almost immediately.

“Calling me from work? Who are you?” You joked and it made him smile but then his eyes teared up because he missed you terribly, he missed your laugh, your kisses in the morning, he missed touching you not just sexually but in a way that affirmed to him that you did exist in his life and that you were all his.

“I'm calling because I know you won't be home when I go there” your smile faltered as well as he said that. You won't be there today, that was true, but you'd be there soon.

“I miss you alot, i think about you all the time”

“Even while you're showering?”

“Especially while I'm showering” he chuckled as you said that

“Did you see your father?”

“I saw him yes and I was right to come here”

“Did you get the answers you were looking for?”

“I got a few answers”

“And?”

“I need help–”

“I'm here sweetheart” your eyes teared up as he said that, always so kind and supportive and you had been taking this for granted.

“You can't help me baby..i love you so much and I don't want to ruin what we have” he sighed as you said that. If you had said something like that to him in person he'd have just wrapped his arms around you to comfort you but you weren't there.

“You can't..no matter what you do or say when you're not feeling so good, you can't ruin us…you can't make me unlove you…it's too late my sweet girl”

“God you're insufferable” you mumbled softly as tears made you unable to speak any further.

You wanted to go home, you wanted to hold onto your husband and never leave him again.

You still remembered the first time he was hit on by a woman right in front of your eyes, his business had begun to do well, he had bought this new apartment for you two where he had invited all the ten employees for a dinner party.

One of the guys had brought a female friend of his. As soon as she stepped into your home she had her eyes on him, you saw the immediate crush she had developed so quickly, now he wasn't just a genius or just another good looking man but he was also becoming richer everyday and women liked that alot.

But you were right there, right in front of your eyes that woman flirted with him and that's when you felt that first wave of insecurity coursing through you regarding your position in his life, even though he had shot down her advances immediately you felt scared, if they were willing to do it right in front of you then he must be facing such temptations all the time and you couldn't help but wonder how long he'd ignore it.

You had asked your father why he had chosen to cheat on your mother, and why he chose to ruin his marriage and leave his daughter behind. He gave you a short simple answer, something that you had hoped to hear, he told you that it wasn't your mother's fault, it was all him, he cheated because he wanted to and not because of something your mother had done to him that made him want to take that step. He knew the heartbreak it would cause but he went ahead with it anyway because he didn't care.

Your father was a different man, and so was Shelley's husband, Daemon wasn't like that, he'd never hurt you this way, he'd never go out of his way to break your heart.

The following night as Daemon reached home it was quiet, usually he'd hear the murmurs of the staff working but it was eerily quiet tonight, when he went upstairs he found you standing on the door wearing your sexiest nightwear.

He wanted to run to you and hug you but the way you looked at him made him stop in his tracks.

You bit on your lips as you looked at him from head to toe, he looked deadly on a given day but the all black suit he had on was your demise. You were going to seduce him, use your charm to apologize but you found yourself bewitched instead.

“Hiiii” you mumbled softly as you leaned against the door frame so he walked closer to you and placed his hands on the wall, trapping you between his body and the door. He wasn't saying anything, was just staring with an intensity that made you nervous and made you drip at the same time.

“You can be upset with me, you should be” you mumbled as you loosened his tie so he grabbed your hand to stop your movement before he turned you around and pressed you against the closed bedroom door flat on your stomach, next thing you knew your hands were tied using the same tie.

“Never again you hear me? You're not going to just take off without telling me first” he whispered in your ear before his lips latched onto your neck and he sucked a mark that you knew would last for days.

“Never again I promise..i promise” you could barely speak coherently because his fingers had reached under your dress already, fingers played with your clit mercilessly as he brought you closer to your release. It's been a while and you hadn't touched yourself in his absence, you wanted to wait and suffer for this very moment.

That night was eventful, he made you cum right against the door, then you sucked his cock like a whore while you told him how sorry you were and then he fucked you on the bed, his thrusts and words equally possesive, equally desperate.

When you woke up the next morning he didn't go to work, he stayed home all day with you and treated you like a queen, he apologized for being neglectful even though he wasn't.

You didn't come back home all fixed as if you never had any problem, far from it, but now you knew that you had a major problem and you knew you needed someone to tell you that, someone to hear you and someone to help you with your thoughts. You knew you needed therapy and you were determined to get it.

A few months later you were out shopping with Daemon for Christmas and perhaps it was just your luck but you bumped into Sheena, literally, you bumped right into her.

"I have been meaning to speak with you Mrs Targaryen" Sheena spoke to you so you looked at Daemon confused.

“I'll go look for that thing you keep asking about” he mumbled softly as he kissed you briefly so you gave him a smile and watched him walk away from you both.

“Mrs. Targaryen” she smiled as she spoke so you reverted it. You didn't want to be rude, there was no point anymore.

“Just call me y/n, he's not your boss anymore” you told her so she nodded

“I know you must not care but I really wanted to apologize” you crossed your arms as she said that.

“For hitting on my husband or for insulting me?”

Okay you couldn't help yourself.

“For both, I was..just jealous of you to be honest”

Your eyes narrowed as she said that, you were jealous of her, why on earth was she jealous of you?

“Why is that?”

“You seem to have it all, you have everything I have ever wanted but never had. I was out of line and it was just my jealousy speaking..nothing else” she looked down as she spoke before she continued “Daemon is a good man and anyone with eyes can see it but if he chose you then there must be a reason for that right? My life was in shambles at the time and i misspoke, i couldn't help but wonder why I couldn't be you and have a good job, a good husband, a perfect life”

You chuckled as she said that.

“My life is not perfect Sheena, nobody's is”

“I understand that, I just wanted to apologize because I feel guilty about what I had done, my stupidity caused me a job i really loved” you could tell that she was being genuine but you didn't want to entertain her further, therapy hadn't turned you into a saint. At the end of the day she was a woman that had tried to hit on your husband and you didn't want her anywhere around him or you for that matter.

“I'm sorry but you're capable of doing great things, don't be so hard on yourself”

As Daemon returned you gave Sheena one last smile and she mumbled a greeting before she walked away. You spent weeks feeling inferior to her and for what? She was insecure as well, even with all that she possessed she was insecure, her insecurities were different that yours but not any less debilitating.

“Are you alright baby?”

You looked at your gorgeous husband as he asked you and you couldn't help but smile. Lucky, you had gotten so lucky.

You were more than alright, you felt good, you felt happy, you felt perfect in that moment.

Because now you believed, deep down in your heart you knew that your love was yours. All yours.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Taglist

@anukulee @erebus-et-eigengrau @daenny-t @123forgottherest @mcufan72 @dixie-elocin @shuichiakainx @ammo23 @stupidthoughtsinwriting @avalyaaa

@powellssaturn @mariaelizabeth21-blog1

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Dangancember 2024 - Danganronpa Top 24 Class Trials: Number 23 Danganronpa V3 Case 6

//Oh Jesus...

//Now, let me just make one thing clear with this one. I actually don't dislike V3's ending with a burning passion. I definitely don't LIKE like it, but after sitting on it for a while, some of the twists and events of the trial are...pretty good actually, and really show what Danganronpa V3 is all about.

//So I don't tend to agree with the lavish hate that this trial gets.

//HOWEVER, with all that being said, I DO agree that this is by far the worst ending in the entire franchise. And yes, that includes both the Another games, Ultra Despair Girls, AND DR3.

//Which...Actually, to their credit, despite having a very iffy runtime for me, all of those examples had actually pretty killer endings that I really enjoyed.

//But yeah, I mean...V3's final trial and the whole thing that happens in it is just so fucking infamous. And for all very valid reasons. So...without further ado, let's talk about it for the umpteenth time.

//In case I already didn't make it clear, describing Danganronpa V3's final trial and ending as "controversial" among its audience...honestly doesn't do the full scope of the situation justice.

//It's very hard to come by someone who has played V3 and is a fan of Danganronpa who probably doesn't have more mixed feelings about a single segment of a video game.

//And honestly, I'm not sure if I should talk about the good things, or the bad things first; because again, divisive implies that it kind of balances out.

//I think I'll focus on the stuff I don't like, because that's the main crux of the argument that explains this trial's placement.

//Something I've always noticed is that when you look at the ending trials for all three mainline Danganronpa games, you notice that all three of them suffer from very similar issues. Those issues being the ridiculousness of the events, the sheer length, and the fact that they are just incredibly blatant plot dumps that try to scramble every bit of the established lore together in one uncomfortable package. And the reason why DRV3 is the worst of the endings is because it does all three of these at MAXIMAM VELOCIPY.

//(I spelt that wrong on purpose by the way.)

//In the Danganronpa series, it has become widely recognized that the trials progressively increase in length with each installment. I kinda see this as a good thing, as it contributes to the franchise’s appeal, because longer trials mean more intricate mysteries, additional plot points, and unexpected twists.

//The final trial in Danganronpa V3, however, takes this idea to the extreme, likely in recognition of its status as the series' concluding chapter. It goes all out, lasting, at minimum, 4 to 5 hours.

//And unlike the ending trials of 1 and 2, that ridiculous length of time is filled up by basically random bullshit. Some sections are highly innovative, like the segments where players must intentionally fail certain minigames to progress as a means of rejecting hope in confrontations with Tsumugi. However, other parts can be frustrating, and just...packed with pointless dialogue.

//For example, the whole segment where they kind of bring up the fact that Kaede had a twin sister as a red herring? Pointless.

//I mean, I take advantage of that fact later, but generally why was this even a plot point to begin with? It's so weird, and nothing comes of it.

//There's also the strangely unfomfortable spike in difficulty, and the fact that fluctuates VERY often.

//The trial features a mix of straightforward puzzles and extremely challenging minigames, some of which rival the difficulty of Danganronpa 2’s notoriously tough (and ridiculously fucking stupid) "Improved Hangman’s Gambit." These difficulty spikes, combined with long stretches of dialogue between minigames,don't do anything for this trial other than cause a pacing imbalance.

//How about the actual culprits though? Well, they are equally as divisive.

//This is, unfortunately, the only moment in Danganronpa V3 where Monokuma gets to show himself off to be the same bad bitch bear he was in the original game, and the Monokubs don't stick around long enough to be an issue to him. And unlike the first two games, he sticks around for the entire trial.

//But then he's coupled...with Tsumugi...

//And all my homies HATE...TSUMUGI...

//Okay, to be fair, Tsumugi is one of the most fun characters to write for Survivor, but I feel the need to point out that a large part of her character arc is that it involves her desperately trying to take up the mantle of the Ultimate Despair, and be on the same level as a criminal and terrorist Mastermind as Junko.

//And the reason I even have leeway for this type of character building for her is because there isn't just room for character development and improvement with her. There's FAR TOO MUCH of it.

//Tsumugi isn't just the least compelling masterminds in the series, but one of the least compelling characters IN GENERAL. And even after she IS revealed to be the big bad, she somehow remains the incredibly blank and boring character that she was for most of V3's run time.

//Junko, Monaca, and even Nagito as something of a pseudo-Mastermind were all batshit crazy and demonic to the core, but it's important to point out that they all have REASONS driving their evil acts, as psychopathic and evil some of them were. But Tsumugi lacks any sort of personal motive, and relies on her role as an avatar for the audience’s desires. The general passivity compared to other masterminds makes her insanely underwhelming.

//Speaking of which, if I may be allowed to go on a bit of a tangent here; the way that Tsumugi is outed as the Mastermind is kind of controversial in and of itself for me.

//By which I mean it's discovered that what actually happened at the beginning of the game is that Kaede's trap to kill the mastermind failed to kill Rantaro. But because of the first blood perk that meant the students would all die if no one was murdered, it meant that time was running short, and in the heat of the moment, Tsumugi got a second shotput ball, killed Rantaro with it, and used her authority as the Mastermind to frame Kaede for the crime anyway.

//Which all feels like unnecessary bullshit if I'm being honest.

//Case 1 and the twist that Kaede was the actual killer was great; and her subsequent execution is one of the most emotionally impactful moments in V3, because it it sends her off as a tragic, morally gray protagonist who was willing to kill for the greater good. Hence the reason why she's my favourite character in the series.

//However, the revelation here retroactively strips her of agency, making her a victim of Tsumugi's manipulation rather than someone who took a flawed, bold step to save her friends.

//This twist also diminishes Kaede's character arc. Her determination and selflessness, even if her actions were misguided, is largely the reason why she manages to be such a spectacular character despite her short runtime. By revealing that she was framed, the story shifts her role from an active participant to a passive victim, which feels like a betrayal of her established personality and the unique premise of her narrative.

//Additionally, the reveal is poorly foreshadowed, and feels like a contrived attempt to shock the audience, and a desperate attempt to redeem Kaede, rather than a natural development. The explanation relies heavily on Tsumugi’s ability to perfectly execute a plan without leaving meaningful clues for the detectives, which feels inconsistent with the game's emphasis on logical deduction, and inconsistent with her being an absolute dumbass every other time, even AFTER her Mastermind reveal. As a result, the twist feels less like a clever subversion and more like an unfair rewrite of the story's emotional stakes.

//All in all, Tsumugi's character feels less developed than those who came before her, and it feels like the emphasis on her being a "cosplayer of fiction" was little more than a bad excuse to avoid giving her any type of depth or a unique personality.

//She's just plain. And she stays plain even when she's revealed to be the main villain.

//Also, this is a comment that's gonna get me smited by everybody, but fuck it, I refuse to hide how I truly feel: Keebo is equally as dogshit.

//Keebo is such a NOTHING character, and I don't understand why he has such a massive fanbase. This is supposed to be him at his best, and his whole point is that he's the one who has to stick it to Tsumugi, but he fails to do even that.

//There's a tiny segment of this trial where we get to play as Himiko and Maki, and a large segment where we get to play as Keebo, and BOTH are UTTERLY POINTLESS, even though they are kind of cool.

//Keebo's actions during this trial when you play as him are a clear homage and cliche to the series' origins, where he is constantly encouraging everyone that they should never give up since the game isn't over yet. But this is effortlessly shut down when Tsumugi abruptly informs him that she WROTE his character that way, and it's exactly what she wanted him to say, as well as the fact that he unknowingly served as the audiences eyes and ears for the game. Thus Keebo's one single moment to shine in this entire game is ultimately futile.

//What was the fucking point of even that?

//So between the dogshit gameplay, and the dogshit Mastermind behind everything, this case is already bad enough. But sad as it is to say, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. Something that I believe is always a make-or-break for the final trials, and that's the Ultimate plot twist that it entails. Usually a big reveal of some sort.

Game 1: The world outside the academy has been basically destroyed.

Game 2: Jabberwock Island is a virtual simulation, and the students in Class 77 are the brainwashed Ultimate Despair terrorists who aided Junko in the Tragedy. Hajime is also Izuru Kamukura, a talentless boy who was experimented on by Hope's Peak Academy against his knowledge.

Another 1: Similar to Game 2. Yuki is revealed to be the true Mastermind behind the Killing Game, and his real identity is Utsuro, the boy with the power of Divine Luck that reshapes reality in his favor.

Another 2: Sora isn't real, is actually an AI based on Akane Taira, is the one who really has the Divine Luck Mikado seeks, and she is left behind as the virtual world is erased.

//I'm not gonna dance about it any longer than I have to, we all know the twist of V3, and we all know it's kind of bullshit.

//The case reveals that the events of Danganronpa V3 are part of a fictional reality show within the game’s universe. The students' lives and personalities were fabricated, their memories manipulated, and the killing game broadcasted for entertainment.

//V3 is actually the 53rd entry of the Danganronpa franchise, with the V in V3 actually being the roman numeral for 5. And Tsumugi directly references the previous Danganronpa games, framing them as part of the same fictional reality show franchise.

//This retroactively positions Danganronpa V3 as a reboot rather than a continuation, suggesting that the events of earlier games may not matter either.

//And the final trial frequently breaks the fourth wall, addressing the player directly and critiquing their role as consumers of violent, despair-filled entertainment. Tsumugi frames the killing game as something the audience demands, effectively blaming players for perpetuating the cycle.

//So yeah...

//EVERYTHING here just SUCKS!

//In the Meta sense, I will say that the twist is interesting, kind of humerous to an extent, and shouldn't be taken seriously in any sort of degree. Not to mention, to a certain extent, it's innovative and quite thought-provoking, as it rightfully critiques fan obsession with sensationalized entertainment.

//But it's done in a way that, in the attempt to portray their games audience, makes me wonder if Danganronpa understands its audience at all.

//The way it's handled here is a betrayal of the narrative, dismissing the emotional weight of the characters' struggles and reducing them to fictional constructs.

//If you're someone, like me, who is/was deeply invested in the original cast and continuity, this just feels insulting. It's like the series we love has been seemingly reduced to a meaningless cycle of fabricated tragedies. Some even see it as an attempt to erase the legacy of Danganronpa's 1 and 2, and it generally makes V3 feel disconnected from the rest of the series.

//I think what upsets me the most is that Tsumugi's claim that the game is made "for the fans, by the fans," is done as a way to make the player complicit in the killing game, suggesting that their desire for entertainment is what perpetuates the franchise’s cycles of despair.

//In other words, this game is basically telling you that you are a terrible person for playing and enjoying it. And I don't vibe with that AT ALL.

//This meta-narrative comes across as kind of self-indulgent and dismissive, overshadowing the characters and plot in favor of philosophical commentary. And not even the good kind.

//But this is why I specifically use words like "controversial" and "divisive" to describe this twist. The events of V3 single-handedly created a divide in the fanbase, with some appreciating the meta-commentary and others feeling disrespected.

//But besides the twist itself, what makes me personally lean towards the latter side of the argument is that all these twists, turns, and concepts are brought up, and despite the trial almost physically forcing the ideas into your throat, what baffles me is how strangely and concerningly ambiguous everything remains by the end of it.

//When you think about it, there are no grounds upon which Tsumugi makes her claims, so everything she says and states in this trial is questionable at best, and a blatant lie at worst. Shuichi even makes note of this at the very end of the game.

//It’s unclear whether the events of Danganronpa V3 were "real" in the context of the game world or entirely fictional within its universe, which many at this point in time have accepted as its own alternate timeline; hence why I make it so in Danganronpa Survivor. This ambiguity extends to whether the surviving characters have truly escaped the cycle of the killing game or are trapped in another layer of fiction.

//The surviving characters (Shuichi, Maki, and Himiko) are left in an uncertain state. Their escape from the game is metaphorical rather than literal, and their identities, forged through fabricated memories, remain unresolved.

//It's up for debate whether this can be called clever storytelling or unnecessarily confusing bullshit. For some, it feels like a cop-out that avoids resolving the story definitively, while others appreciate the open-ended nature, which allows for personal interpretation.

//The lack of clear rules or boundaries for what is real made the ending feel nonsensical or overly convoluted, and it's hard to get invested in a story that defies traditional narrative logic in this way. Even for something like Danganronpa.

//The ambiguity about the trio's futures and identities felt hollow, and that's why a lot of people want more closure.

//Speaking of which, yet another huge issue with this trial is something that V3 shares with 3. Despite the fact that the purpose of the game is to tie the knot on the franchise, there is SUCH a lack of CLOSURE, for FUCKS SAKE!

//Ultimately, it doesn't matter at all whether we can say that V3 was truly real, or fictional. It doesn't matter, because either way, people still want a satisfying conclusion for the characters they’ve followed, but V3 provides NONE of that. The ending’s open-ended nature, while probably done with good intent, makes it difficult to discern any definitive meaning or takeaway from the story.

//So god tell me, what did I just waste four hours of my life on!?

//Trial 6 of V3 is the worst ending in the series because it is generally a waste of time, spends so long trying to meticulously explain a very stupidly handled twist, and ultimately has NO CONCLUSION.

//Which is why it's so low, and yet, it still manages to avoid not only the honorable mentions, but the bottom spot (although it's really fucking close, trust me.)

//My opinion of this trial is overly negative, and it's not one I enjoy revisiting in any sense, but there are things about it I like.

//For starters, the characterization. I kind of already rambled on about this before when I went on that tangent about Tsumugi being a stupid as fuck villain.

//But while Tsumugi is incredibly poor...SHUICHI is BRILLIANT!

//I like all the Danganronpa protagonists about the same, and though I generally prefer Kaede, I ADORE Shuichi too, and THIS is why. He is EASILY the best-developed protagonist in the main series, and the way that growth that happens throughout all of V3 culminates here is near FLAWLESS.

//He's been through so much pain for this whole game, and it crushes him tenfold when he finds out what little enjoyment and fulfillment he DID have wasn't even reality, and just part of a fictional series. That, and the fact that people will never empathize with him, because in their eyes, he's just a character behind a screen.

//But he goes on to assert himself as a protagonist and chooses to challenge the killing game’s rules. His defiance is a moment of growth festered in him by the emotionally REAL relationships he had with Kaede and Kaito, showing that he can stand up for his beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming odds. His journey from self-doubt to confidence is deeply satisfying, well-handled, and emotional for fans who connected with his struggles. His choice to reject both hope and despair in favor of forging his own path is empowering, just as much, if not more, than even Hajime's from Game 2.

//There were a few characters, namely Kaede, Kaito, and Kokichi, who did massive gambits in an attempt to break the killing game and ruin it, but they all failed. It feels good to know that Shuichi was the one who succeeded.

//Despite its kind of unholy subversion, the trial also acts as a tribute to the Danganronpa series and how far it's come, incorporating callbacks, references, and homages to earlier games; most notably when Tsumugi transforms herself into characters from the series before this.

//It's not quite closure, but it's the closest we get.

//As far as the twist goes, while I generally think it was handled poorly, the idea behind it comes from a very important place. The meta-narrative of this trial turns the game into a commentary on the nature of fiction and the role of creators, characters, and audiences. It’s a fresh and daring approach that sets this game apart from its predecessors, making it memorable and thought-provoking in regards to people's relationship with the series and the medium of storytelling as a whole.

//And while I generally dislike the open-ended conclusion, it does invite the idea of interpretation, allowing players to draw their own meanings and decide what is real within the story.

//I mean, I did that. You're reading that very blog now.

//The worst part about this trial for me is the fact that it feels like the twist is designed to attack the hardcore fans; something that I can't really forgive. But the way the trial critiques fandom culture, exploring the implications of endlessly consuming horrible concepts for entertainment, is kind of a valid statement to make at the current state of the world. It asks the audience to consider their role in perpetuating the killing games and questions the morality of reveling in such dark content.

//I just wish it had done so more kindly.

//But yeah, overall while I do appreciate V3's final trial for its boldness and willingness to subvert expectations, I generally dislike it for its perceived disrespect to the series' characters, themes, and fanbase. Case 6 is somehow both a brilliant deconstruction of the series’ tropes and a reflection on the nature of storytelling, fandom, and media consumption, as well as a betrayal of the series’ core themes. The ending’s ambiguity, meta-commentary, and radical deconstruction of the franchise leave it as one of the most polarizing conclusions in gaming history, and I doubt there are many that come close.

[wantednuzlocke]

Ayoo it's time for the next retrospective this time we talkin about Chapter 4

Meta Stuff

First of all, holy moly. This is the chapter where we hit in the 200 pages with the comic eh? Another milestone reached.

Chapter 4 features Mt. Battle. In the game another really short stretch of gameplay. Just another row of trainers to fight before you reach the next boss.

With Agate Village cleared we've unlocked the ability to be able to choose to purify Shadow Pokémon. Which means we're now capable of training and evolving the pokémon that have been stolen. AKA, the game can definitely crank up the difficulty now.

Now, you can opt to keep the pokémon in shadow form. The main benefit of it is that Shadow Rush will almost entirely be guaranteed to land a critical hit, and there are no resistances involved.

However, the curve of Pokémon levels is going to be even less merciful now. And if guaranteed critical hits are the only benefit you get, then you're better of purifying the Pokémon you at least want to use.

I've started to use the Exp. Share here. Not to train a pokémon in the inactive slot. But to speed up the grinding process for the pokémon that is actively out on the field, as it funnels more experience towards the pokémon that is carrying it, so instead of the usual 50/50 experience division it will instead become roughly 33/66.

Since this is still *technically* a blind run, I didn't bother to check the levels of the boss. But I had a pretty good idea of Dakim's team and his... Special... Antics... ... Either way, I kept to my habit of grinding for as long as I had Shadow Pokémon on hand, and then equalizing the rest of the team to the level mark my highest Pokémon was at. In this case I grinded until Hitmontop could be purified. And then rounded up my pokémon neatly to the top level of my team. Do not ask me how I managed it. But I effectively hit level 40. That's the exact level Dakim's ace was at.

Though I have to admit, on my first blind nuzlocke run, I was in shock to find a legendary Pokémon that soon. Like... WHAT? I was under the impression the game only just started once you unlocked purification but nooooo. I guess we're already in the endgame...

Either way, Dakim loves to spam Earthquake, so the Entei isn't so much a threat. It just becomes a race of capturing the damn thing before the idiot gorilla ends up knocking it out. I actually selected most of my team exactly to evade the earthquakes entirely or to at least cripple the earthquake dealers with stat drops.

Not that it was super-needed. My strategy was to snipe all his regular pokémon as fast as possible until only Entei was left. And let me tell you... That thing refused to stay in the Pokéball, even when put to sleep. And every time it woke up it almost obliterated a pokémon, forcing me to swap out regularly. I eventually started running out of Pokémon to send out without any deaths occurring. I had a misdreavus, who would DEFINITELY die if she would get hit, and a Hitmontop which I wasn't sure of if it could take a Fire Blast at all.

Eventually I took the gamble, if I had to lose any pokémon I guess Sudowoodo wouldn't be the worst. But that happened to be the moment it decided to stay in the ball. Damn Entei giving me anxiety, but crisis averted, I guess...

The biggest shocker to me however, and this was something only started sinking in when I played Pokémon Grand Colosseum for funsies another time, is the fact that... Finishing with drawing this chapter, meant the half-way point for the story has been crossed. I can hardly believe we're actually halfway done with the Pokémon Colosseum arc.

Plot Planning

This chapter had the one and only battle in it which I immediately had an idea for on how it would play out in comic. Mainly because... Who the hell would earthquake on a floating platform!?!?

But all that said, with how solid some of the main ideas were, I have been altering this chapter's script SO MUCH. I kept rewriting dialogue over and over. The battle with Dakim has also been rewritten several times, even if the core element of falling of the platform had stayed.

There was also one other massive change. Wes. Initially he wasn't even planned to make an appearance at all. He was replaced by Yume fulfilling the role of protagonist. But with Rui being placed back in the comic during chapter 3, I thought it was only fair if Wes was in the story as well. And the more I started pingponging the idea of having him around, what kind of character he was and how he fit in with what little facts we have about him, the more fun interactions popped up. And it got even better when someone suggested to me to make him bisexual.

I normally do not write characters with any sort of sexual orientation in mind. If they have any it will naturally come out through interactions I brainstorm eventually. It's not something I personally can immerse myself properly into... Being asexual myself and all that... And it would also seem in poor taste to write about it in big quantities when no research has been done on it on my end. Besides that, orientation shouldn't be the sole part of a character's identity imo. There is more to a person than just that. All that said, Wes has ended up becoming one of the most fun characters to write, despite him being outside of my usual comfort zone. And his dynamic to Yume is just straight-up fun to write in general.

But yeah, his sudden appearance in the story has done a lot to flip the intial full idea I had for Wanted!'s direction. But eh... That's just how it goes when developing a story. It's becoming a better one for it. The initial work and effort put into the first draft isn't lost. It simply became a foundation for something better.

Veering away from the tangent of last-minute adding in characters. This part of the plot is a turning point. Cipher would tolerate maybe a few slip-ups. But now it's becoming serious business. They don't fully turn all their attention on the protagonist just yet, but at this point they would acknowledge she is a serious threat. Measures were already taken in Agate Village. Not using Shadow Pokémon too excessively as it might just result in more assets for the enemy. And they started to notice there is a pattern. This threat, is actively sabotaging their operations. It's time to whip out the big guns.

And with Cipher bringing out the big guns, it should also become more obvious that Yume is out of her league by choosing to confront them by herself. So far she's been lucky, catching them by surprise, constantly blind-siding them. But as she gains notoriety Cipher become better prepared to actually deal with her, as they continue to gather information on her. In fact, her actions and decisions should start becoming noticeably more and more downright self-destructive. Prioritizing other lives over her own.

Artistic Journey

I already talked in the previous retrospective how much I felt like the quality of my work was being stagnant. So I was effectively on the fence for a while on making changes or refraining from it.

I feel like it's a dilemma that a lot of webcomic artists deal with, when they contemplate on changing anything drastically. "How would the readers cope with the sudden shift in visual style?"

It's hard to know for sure. I myself as a reader don't mind style changes, and often even forget what the old style used to look like real quick. But I am also very aware that I am an extremely tolerant reader. I'm on board with honestly anything as long as the intention of the artist matches with what is in the comic. But it also means I have no frame of reference for how adaptive other readers would be towards drastic changes.

In the end I considered a potential viable compromise. The style I wanted to go for was mainly intended to add visual intensity to battle choreography. And a big battle that was meant to be intense was on the horizon. So that seemed like the perfect point to shift the visual style of the comic.

The style I ended up going for is inspired by 2d art from Mario Strikers Charged football. It looks intense, and is perfect for depicting battles. It is rough, it is messy, and it looks very impactful. So this meant, thicker more defined lines for the characters, and a matching rough shading style. Yep. Shading is back on the menu, albeit in a less complicated form.

And look, it's not a 1 to 1 perfect emulation of the style, but that's on me for not grabbing actual reference images to get it like that. But the messier lineart sure took a lot of mental pressure off of me, actually. And my drawing habits make me still draw in very steady singular lines, rather than the messy sketchiness that MSCF has. But I can still go for it when more battle scenes come up. But even then, the thicker lines still feel a lot nicer to draw with. Gotta relearn going at my linework like I'm drawing with a knife, I guess.

The reception of the new style has overall been positive. Though I suspect that is in part due to the reintroduction of shading. But hey... I like drawing like this. The readers like it. Everyone wins. That's what matters the most. ~

That's all for this chatper's retrospective. It will definitely still be a while before the 5th one will be written. We're still going through the 5th chapter after all. So it's not much of a retrospective if I'm still in the process of developing that chapter. So... Until then... ~

Writing this makes me want to play that mario football game again so I guess I know what I'll be doing today.

[princesscolumbia]

Code of Ethics - Ch. 38 - Expressed Interest

Well, here we are with just one chapter to my goal and two chapters to my stretch goal! If tomorrow's work day is too slammed and all I get out before Tuesday night is Ch. 49, I'll be satisfied that I still achieved what I set out to do for the month of December and declare absolute victory over the writer's block that plagued me for November and the first half of December. But if I get Ch. 50 out? I might just celebrate with a little New Year's libations instead of ringing in the new year sober.

Diane has two encounters, the content of which will likely have lasting repercussions.

Preview below the cut:

He wasn’t quite what she might have expected. He had dark hair, maybe brown, and equally dark, piercing eyes. There was a slightly pinched look to his face, as though he was containing the pain of injury, but even through that she could see he was not just conventionally handsome, but there was a somewhat boyish, charming quality to his features. His eyes were a sharp, bright blue and betrayed an intelligence as he scanned her up and down in seconds. His clothing wasn’t what she would have expected of someone in a containment facility. They were mostly black with some browns mixed in. He was wearing a trenchcoat over what appeared to be survival fatigues, mostly military in origin but to her untrained eye it looked like they had been given some extra tailoring. The way the clothing hung off his body was more reminiscent of a uniform worn with pride than what one might expect of either a prisoner or guard. In the former case, they’d be cast-offs, what was lying around that fit. In the latter the clothing wouldn’t be tailored.

And since her helmet was down, she was able to take in his scent, which was surprisingly strong given the dust, ash, and gore hanging in the air. Nutmeg...and ginger! She found her mouth watering inexplicably.

“Well,” said the man as he held his gun level and pointed at her chest, “You’re a tall one, aren’t you?”

Her eyebrow went up as her mouth twitched into a smile, “I’ve been accused of this, yes.”

He hmm’d, “And you’re not here with the feds?”

She shook her head, “Nope. Independent.” He snorted with apparent skepticism. “No really, I’ve got a station a couple systems over. We were taking our newest ship out for a shakedown when we happened upon the feds,” she deliberately used his shorthand, “Firing down on your location. Kinda a human rights violation.”

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow, “‘Human rights?’”

She blushed, “Ah, yeah, I’m one of the Lost. I was raised by a human caretaker and then shipped off to take over a station so I wouldn’t be Earth’s problem anymore.”

A glint of suspicion crept back into his eyes, “You have me at a bit of a disadvantage, so I must ask; do you have any loyalty to Earth because of your upbringing?”

She snorted, “Nope. My caretaker was an abusive bitch and Earthgov didn’t give a damn about me until I became First Found of Mortan. Hell, my best friend is a human who’d love to string up Eartgov by their collective entrails for leaving her and her people stranded on my station and then giving it to me without bothering to check if anyone was living there. Her boyfriend is...I think wanted in Terran space as, at the very least, a person of interest, and the station’s biggest ally outside of Mortan is The Chroma Syndicate. Pretty much nobody around me is a fan of Earthgov.”

This got the man to lower his gun, to which Diane lowered her hands to her sides. He nodded in acknowledgement of her relaxing her stance, “It seems we may have a common enemy, or at least a common irritant,” he said with a smile, “Might you have room on your station for one more? Or at least your ship? If I remain here I’m a sitting duck.”

Read the rest at ScribbleHub

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update 18 Jun 2025

Another small burst of inspiration this week - thanks primarily to the Hot Bucky Summer event!    I touched 3 fics (3 new and 0 WIPs) for a total of 1849 words this week!  

On Ao3, I posted: 

 His Master’s Touch - WinterHawk Dom/sub petplay ficlet (Dom!Clint/sub!Bucky) 

Caught In the Act - Tony & Pepper IM1 extended scene double drabble

On Tumblr I posted: 

 Sleight of Hand (And Twist of Fate) - WinterIron identity porn ficlet with modern!Bucky 

I’m juggling 10-ish  active/semi-active WIPs with my current  deadline being  the July Break Bingo and Hot Bucky Summer  event

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

July Break Bingo [JBB_25  (Ends 31 July 2025)

I may have bitten off more than I can chew, as I requested a 5x5 card from @july  - forgetting that this particular event only runs for the month of July.  Hopefully I can cross-fill with Flash Fiction Fridays and Hot Bucky Summer and at least get a bingo.   

Hot Bucky Summer [HBS_25] (Ends 30 Aug 2025) 

This steamy event - brought to you by the fine folks over at @buckybarnesevents  - is a go for this year!  Weekly themes and prompts (as well as the rules) have been posted here on Tumblr and  participants can create whatever their smutty (or not so smutty) hearts desire, as long as Bucky is in the mix!  I’ve picked out a few prompts and crossovers  to work with - my goal is to complete at least two fics/month, with a stretch goal of creating something for every week.   So far so good…

* Week 1: completed with    Typos and Innuendos. (WinterIron No Powers Workplace  AU ficlet) 

* Week 2:  Posted His Master’s Touch last Friday, using  the prompts  “Did I give you permission?” | Orgasm Delay/Denial | Master/Pet Roleplay] for an Explicit Winterhawk fic where Bucky plays the pet role.  It came in at 931 words.  

* Week 3:  Am using the prompts “Not now!” | Heat/Rut  and  Exhibitionism , combined with the YOTP June - Unconventional sex positions prompt, my FFB Apr  A1 - Public Sex and WIB  O2 - dom drop square for Showing Off Too Much, an omegaverse D/s WinterIron fic where their scene at a club starts going wrong for alpha Dom Bucky. It’s drafted at 741 words and will get posted to Ao3 on the 20th.  

* Week 4: Am using the optional prompts  Aftercare, Aphrodisiac, Anal Play, and  Ahegao, along with my FFB May C2 - Size kink  prompt  for a Stucky PWP where a spicy meal leads to some equally spicy bedroom fun, featuring bottom!Steve and multiple orgasms.  Spicing Things Up is  sitting at 1149 words with probably another 500-ish to go.  It will get posted to Ao3 on the 27th. 

* Week 5: I have an idea for these prompts:  “Play with it.” | [Cock Worship | Forced Masturbation | combined with my WIB O3 - Mirror sex square for a follow up to Showing Off Too Much, where Tony comes up with an idea to solve his exhibitionistic streak while still giving Bucky the privacy he craves.   

* Week 10: Got inspired by my Week 4 prompt to indulge in some pre-war Stucky - using the prompts  “I can’t.” | [Big Cock | Anal Training  for some light-hearted first time anal with Bottom!Steve and Big Dick Bucky.  Vitamins A and D is sitting at 316 words - I may or may not actually write the smut that the fic is leading up to. Either way,  this will post on 9 Aug. 

Fandom Free Bingo - FFB

The @fandom-free-bingo blog offers up themed cards on a monthly basis - either 3x3 or 5x5 - you have a year to create your fanworks if you want them reblogged. 

Gingerbread Edition (December) - Ends 30 Nov 2025 

Eight of nine fills completed - zero WIPs 

* A2 - "I can't believe you!"  Posted Caught In the Act  to Ao3 this morning. It’s crossing over  with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF299 Stranger Than Fiction] for a Tony & Pepper IM1 canon-compliant double drabble - expanding a bit on the scene where Pepper walks in on Tony being extricated from the armor after Gulmira.  

* Alt3 - "Work your magic" -  Combined this with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF305 Divine Questioning]   for  Even a God Has Limits - a double drabble where Tony discovers that Loki’s powers have their limits - and that they have a heartbreak in common.  

Half-Baked Edition (February) - Ends 31 Jan 2026

Six of nine fills completed with one bingo - no WIPs at the moment. 

* B2 - FREE - I combined this with a previous Flash Fiction Friday prompt   [FFF#294 - Cursed Trio] for Horning In - a SamBuckyJoaquin ficlet where Brock tries to hit on Sam’s two partners at the club.  It came in at 222 words and will get posted to Ao3 before this event ends. 

* Alt2 - Muscles - see HBS Week 2. 

Fool's Edition (April) - Ends 31 March 2026

Four  fills and 1 WIPs 

* A1 - Public Sex - see HBS  Week 3. 

* A2 - "I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve."  - Combined this with three Flash Fic Friday prompts:   prompts:  [#FFF300 Let Me Go] [#FFF300 Burn It Down] [#FFF300 Rise and Fall]  for  A Mysterious Musician - a No Powers College AU WinterIron fic where Tony falls at first sight for the singer of a local band, only to discover that he knows him from somewhere else.  It came in at 747 words and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I may expand it at some point before posting to Ao3. 

Madness May (Ends 30 Apr 2026]

I requested a May card - still trying to work out crossovers and have a couple of duplicates from previous cards.  

* A1 - Medicalized – may combine this with the HBS prompt for the final week:  (13 August 24th - August 30th) | FREE WEEK | [Optional Prompts: “M” - (Mutual) Masturbation, Masochism, Medical Play, Milking, Musk, Multiple Orgasms]

* C2 - Size kink - see HBS Week 4 

Year of the OTP [YOTP_25]   (Ends Dec 31 2025)

Making good progress on this challenge where you create (at least) twelve works for a specific pairing by using the monthly prompts provided. I’m a bit of an over-achiever with nine prompts filled so far, although May was a skin-of-the-teeth fill! 

* June -   see HBS  Week 3. 

WinterIron Bingo Round 3 [WIB_R3] (Ends 16 Jan 2026)

@winterironevents is bringing back their WinterIron Bingo for a third round! I help co-mod this event and we will have pre-made cards available probably starting next month. I've got three fills and one WIP so far -  need to look for more crossovers with my active cards! . 

* I1 - AU: FBI agent - combined this with the Flash Fic Friday prompt [#FFF309 Two Truths, One Lie] for Sleight of Hand (And Twist of Fate). James Buchanan Barnes is an FBI agent tasked with determining the identity of Iron Man, all the while nursing a  secret celebrity crush on Tony Stark.   It came in a 385 words with a bit of a cliffhanger - I do plan on continuing this before posting to Ao3 (or claiming this prompt) 

* O2 - dom drop - see  HBS  Week 3. 

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  [WFB]   (no end date)

Nine fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two!

————

On  other creative fronts:  I’m working on a Bruce the Shark  figure for an upcoming con with a Loch Ness Monster and more  mini-dragons on the docket!  

If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!  I have  two commission slots open for July and August  - feel free to reach out via DM or to  StuffedWithCharacter@gmail.com!   

[cherryvampyyri]

Learning Mandarin resource recommendation

Yesterday I studied with this video and I needed to share!

First of all, this was great for my level. I passed HSK 3 two years ago, but I haven't been very active with my studies and am planning to just redo it next year because HSK 4 would be way too much of a stretch to pick up.

Secondly, the structure of the lesson is great!

First it goes through the video little by little, explaining some keywords and giving an example sentence for each. So basically you get two example sentences. After the word is learnt you get to see and hear the clip once more. The teacher will explain everything in simple Mandarin, and highlight words or items that are being discussed on screen.

Then there is a review of the newly learnt words. After that there will be a transcript of the show without pinyin, with highlighting of what part of text is being read out loud. And lastly there will be questions that can be answered with the lines from the show!

Now, why I found this format really good? Aka, the rambling part:

I personally really enjoyed this type of structure. I find the repetition crazy good, because it is varied and the last two parts actually give me time time to look at the characters and sentence structures while associating the words with the context. Let's just say that I'm not a fan of flashcards, because I do no find that fun so this was very helpful to get that repetition going without getting bored and frustrated.

The way I study with learning videos in youtube is to watch the video first and then dump it in my playlist named 汉语. Yes, very creative, I know~ Then when I have time to study I rewatch the video and make notes in my trusted notebook. Sometimes it's the next day and other times like with this video, over a year. In this way I get to check if the video is helpful before beginning to write down notes. And it allows for that repetition I keep talking about here.

Anyway, going back to the video. The first go through is really slow and while it was a little painful for my brain, it also allowed me to pause the video for writing down notes without having to be super quick. Sometimes I find videos too fast to go to next words and I have to really try hard to pause at the right time after focusing on the teaching first. So I really appreciated how you got the new word, the example sentence and then it was back to the new word, giving me another opportunity to pause instead of having to go back in the video to find the right frame.

Also, the words to be taught are featured in either a yellow or black background. The visual learning part of my brain loved that, as well as the extra pictures presented all through the video.

This channel seems to also feature other movie clips, news clips, songs and stories to learn from. I did watch a movie clip before and found it equally good compared to this particular video.

[ultraguardindia]

PPF Installation Mistakes to Avoid: A Complete Guide for Car Owners

When it comes to keeping your car looking showroom-fresh, Paint Protection Film (PPF) is one of the best investments you can make. This invisible shield safeguards your vehicle’s paint against scratches, chips, bird droppings, UV rays, and road debris. However, even the best quality film won’t perform well if it’s poorly installed.

Whether you're considering a DIY project or hiring a professional, avoiding common PPF installation mistakes is crucial to achieving long-lasting protection and a flawless finish. In this guide, we’ll explore the top PPF installation mistakes car owners should avoid and how to ensure your Paint Protection Film delivers maximum value.

1. Skipping the Prep Work

Why It’s a Mistake: Proper surface preparation is the foundation of any successful PPF installation. Skipping steps like washing, claying, or decontaminating the car can trap dirt or residues beneath the film, causing bubbles, peeling, and poor adhesion.

What to Do Instead:

Wash the car thoroughly using a pH-neutral shampoo.

Use a clay bar or iron remover to decontaminate the surface.

Perform an IPA wipe-down to eliminate any oils or waxes.

Consider a light polish if the paint has swirl marks or imperfections.

2. Installing PPF in a Dusty or Open Environment

Why It’s a Mistake: Dust, wind, and fluctuating temperatures can wreak havoc on a PPF installation. A single speck of dust can cause visible imperfections under the film and lead to long-term adhesion issues.

What to Do Instead:

Always install Paint Protection Film in a clean, temperature-controlled studio or garage.

Use proper lighting to catch flaws as you go.

If installing outdoors is the only option, try to set up a clean tented area and avoid windy days.

3. Choosing the Wrong Type of PPF

Why It’s a Mistake: Not all PPFs are created equal. Cheap or outdated films may turn yellow over time, offer poor clarity, or lack self-healing properties. Picking the wrong type affects both aesthetics and protection.

What to Do Instead:

Choose high-quality, branded Paint Protection Film known for durability and UV resistance.

Look for features like self-healing, hydrophobic topcoats, and warranty coverage.

Consult with professionals to determine the right film for your car model, paint type, and climate.

4. Stretching the Film Too Much

Why It’s a Mistake: Some installers over-stretch the Paint Protection Film to make it fit complex curves or panels. This can cause the film to lift, shrink, or create tension that leads to peeling around edges and corners.

What to Do Instead:

Use pre-cut kits designed specifically for your vehicle.

When doing custom installations, heat and stretch the film moderately.

Secure edges with proper wrapping techniques to reduce stress.

5. Using Too Much or Too Little Slip Solution

Why It’s a Mistake: Slip solution (a mix of water and soap or alcohol) allows the installer to move the PPF into place. Too much, and the film won’t stick properly. Too little, and it becomes impossible to adjust the film without causing wrinkles or stretch marks.

What to Do Instead:

Use the recommended ratio of soap to water (usually 1-2 drops per liter).

Apply more slip solution during positioning and less when setting the film permanently.

Use a tack solution (water and isopropyl alcohol) on edges or curves that need strong adhesion.

6. Not Using the Right Tools

Why It’s a Mistake: PPF installation requires more than just your hands. Without the proper tools, it’s easy to create bubbles, creases, or uneven finishes.

What to Do Instead:

Always use a professional squeegee with soft edges.

Keep microfiber towels on hand to clean up excess solution.

Use a heat gun for tricky curves and corners.

Have a spray bottle for slip and tack solutions at all times.

7. Ignoring the Drying and Curing Time

Why It’s a Mistake: Rushing to wash or expose your vehicle to rain or sun immediately after installation can ruin the bond between the paint and the film.

What to Do Instead:

Let the PPF cure for at least 48–72 hours before washing or exposing to moisture.

Avoid driving in heavy rain or harsh sun for the first few days.

If bubbles form during this time, consult your installer—they might dissipate naturally or require professional correction.

8. Poor Edge Sealing

Why It’s a Mistake: Improperly sealed edges allow water and dirt to seep underneath the Paint Protection Film, leading to lifting, discoloration, or permanent failure of the film.

What to Do Instead:

Use a tack solution and heat gun to secure edges tightly.

Wrap the film around edges and panel gaps when possible.

Trim excess film carefully without damaging the paint.

9. Trying to DIY Without Experience

Why It’s a Mistake: While some car enthusiasts succeed with DIY kits, most DIY attempts without prior experience result in wasted materials and visible flaws. PPF is not like a simple sticker—it requires precision, patience, and practice.

What to Do Instead:

Start with smaller areas like the door cups or headlights before trying full-body applications.

Watch professional installation videos or attend training if you're serious about learning.

For full-body or complex installations, hire a certified PPF installer.

10. Not Asking for Warranty or Invoice

Why It’s a Mistake: Some installers offer attractive prices but skip warranty coverage or don’t provide proper invoices. This leaves you unprotected in case of film failure or installation errors.

What to Do Instead:

Always ask for a written warranty—good Paint Protection Films offer 5 to 10 years of coverage.

Check if the installer is certified by the film manufacturer.

Make sure to receive a proper invoice with the brand and installation details clearly mentioned.

Why Professional Installation is Worth It

Even if you understand all the above mistakes, executing a perfect installation is a highly skilled job. Certified PPF installers:

Use computer-cut patterns specific to your car model.

Ensure dust-free, climate-controlled conditions.

Apply the film without over-stretching, bubbling, or wrinkling.

Offer post-installation inspection and touch-up services.

You’re not just paying for the film—you’re investing in experience, tools, and assurance.

Final Words: Avoiding Mistakes Equals Long-Lasting Protection

Paint Protection Film is an investment that can extend the beauty and value of your vehicle. But even the highest quality film can fail if installed improperly. By understanding and avoiding the most common PPF installation mistakes, you ensure your car gets the seamless, high-gloss, and durable protection it deserves.

Whether you go the DIY route or trust a pro, remember: preparation, precision, and patience are key to unlocking the full potential of Paint Protection Film.

[eienshi09]

Final Fantasy V

Finally started Final Fantasy VI so I figure I should put down my thoughts on FFV after finishing it nearly a year ago. Final Fantasy V is an improvement on Final Fantasy III in every way and pretty much addresses every complaint I had about III. The Job System was expanded upon and each Job feels like its own thing. The pace of Job acquisition was fixed so you have more time with the full set of Jobs. The final stretch of the game has more save points and is more varied. Even the nameless protagonists were given names and characterization, though the story just stuck to the same overall structure the first 4 games used. To top it all off, the Pixel Remaster is a pretty great way to experience the game in modern times (now that it actually got QoL features added in). I have some complaints which I'll get into under the cut, but Final Fantasy V is a solid entry into the franchise and honestly kind of underrated.

While I liked the Job System in FFIII well enough, the last (Earth Crystal) batch of Jobs being mostly upgrades to the first batch was kind of underwhelming and unsatisfying. Final Fantasy V's fixes that by making each Job have their own identity and mechanics. V then further expands the system by giving you two ability slots: one slot has to be an ability of the equipped Job but the other can be any ability that character has learned from any other Job. Not only does this allow for a pretty high-level of party customization, it also incentivizes swapping Jobs around to continue leveling them up without pressuring them to do so - at least until you hit max level for a Job and don't want to waste Job AP. However, not every Job and, perhaps more importantly, not every ability are equally useful. Because of that, many of the more situational abilities do not see play at all as most Jobs definitely had a best ability. The fix for this is simple: just have all of the equipped Job's active abilities be available instead of just one of them. This fix will also even out some of the disparities between Jobs and be more systematically consistent because all of a Job's passive abilities have effect when that Job is equipped. That said, I still found a lot of the fun of the system in trying out new Jobs as I got them and figuring out how well they synergized with the abilities I had already unlocked.

And speaking of being able to experimenting with the various Job abilities, Final Fantasy V actually gives you the time and space to do so by front-loading all of its Jobs. In FFIII, the pacing of when you get Jobs is quite awkward with large gaps between the first and second Crystals and again between the third and final Crystals. FFV, by comparison, takes you to all four Crystals in rather quick succession - which incidentally also gives a sense of urgency to the story - and you'll have all Jobs available by about a third of the way through the game. My only complaint would have been that, even with so much time with all of them, some Jobs have quite steep AP requirements to unlock all of their abilities. This is somewhat addressed by having the enemies in the final area give high amounts of AP and no character experience, giving you a way to laterally gain power by accessing more abilities without having to increase your stats to trivialize the final few bosses of the game. More of such areas could have been sprinkled throughout the game rather than having it just be the final section, but I thought it was a rather thoughtful design choice nonetheless.

Where Final Fantasy V made great strides in its mechanics and the Job system, its story is only just fine. To its credit, it does carry forward the focus on characters that IV started. From the quiet, intimate chats between Lenna and Faris as they realize they are sisters to all the bits showing Bartz as this rough-around-the-edges freewheeling type but still a solid and dependable guy at the end of the day to Galuf's sheer determination to do what his past self couldn't and see his task done, there are a lot of great moments showing off the personalities and backgrounds of the playable cast and how they relate to not just each other but the supporting NPC cast as well. However good these smaller individual moments are, I have, by this point, grown a little tired of the same overall story structure as the last four games: the CrystalsTM are under threat so we must visit each to save it but are ever so slightly too slow to do so; meanwhile the bad guy's goal is to destroy the world using some nebulous otherworldly force. Yes, each game does its own spin on the structure but still, after 5 iterations, it's a little overdone, especially in this one where there is a second macguffin hunt in the later parts of the game.

Despite the narrative weariness, the gameplay was strong enough to carry me through and, for the parts where I just wanted to get on with things, the QoL features added to the Pixel Remasters really smoothed out the play experience. Originally, I was going to play the GBA version because the Pixel Remasters at time of their original release did not offer any additional features other than the graphical updates and some tweaks, which was why I did not bother with any of them for FFI through IV. I am, however, glad I checked to see if SqEnix bothered to update the PRs in the three years since their initial release, and it turns out they did for the games' console release. And I used each and every single one of those new features. For example, the ability to turn off encounters was extremely helpful for some of the more tedious dungeons even if there weren't too many to begin with. Meanwhile, the ability to adjust Gil, EXP, and Job AP rates - up or down and independently of each other - meant that I could tune my character growth to my liking. On top of that, the modern font they used for these remasters was so squished and poorly spaced that I found them harder to read than the pixel font they added - not to mention they looked ugly and ill-fitting with the fantasy settings of these games. I really wish they had been available when I started this franchise playthrough project because these features would have mitigated a lot of my complaints about the earlier games.

[fishrpg]

2024-12-20: Idaho (Hex 20)

Fields of furrows of vegetation low to the ground are part of a seemingly endless patchwork of potato cultivation. Only the occasional tractor or other heavy farm implement breaks up the monotony.

Notable Feature: Vehicles Turning (Hazard)

Heavy farming equipment often appears suddenly on the highway here. Sometimes it's because they made a sudden turn, and other times it's because they weren't there before and happened to enter The Routes via a temporary entrance. For cars traveling through the area, every passenger in the car must make a DC 20 DEX (Acrobatics) check. If a majority of the passengers succeed on the check, the car traverses the hex without incident. If the majority fail, the car traverses the hex after suffering a misfortune. Roll a d6 and consult the table below to determine what misfortune occurs.

Unlike most other hazards, each character in the vehicle will roll once on each of the tables below to determine what happens to them and what damage happens to the car. The results of damage rolled to the vehicle will stack together.

Farming Equipment Avoidance Failures for Characters (1d6)

You bash your knees into the dashboard, door, or frame of the seat in front of you. Your walking speed is reduced by 10 for 24 hours and you cannot traverse difficult terrain while walking during this period.

You are ejected from the vehicle. Take a Dangerous dangerous level of Slashing damage as you hit the ground.

The sudden movement causes your head to smack into something solid and develop a mild concussion. For the next 1d4 days, all checks or saves involving your mental or driving abilities are made at disadvantage.

The seatbelt leaves a serious bruise where it caught you. Take a Setback level of bludgeoning damage.

Although you didn't receive any physical damage, you begin replaying the events in your mind over and over. You do not gain the benefits of your next long rest because of your rumination.

In the heat of the moment, you have an intense memory of a person from your past that had things left unsaid. Until you call them or write a letter to them, you cannot perform any task that requires concentration.

Farming Equipment Avoidance Failures for Vehicles (1d6)

One light (blinker, brake, headlight, or high beam) is broken.

A dent is visible on the side of the vehicle.

Long strip of paint is scraped from the car body.

Cracks appear in a single window or on the windshield.

One tire is punctured. The first puncture is a slow leak, but if the same tire is punctured again, it is a blowout and cannot be patched.

The radiator is a bit damaged; max speed is reduced by 10mph until repaired.

Secret: The Arcanist Housewife

In a three-story single family home that sits in the minuscule small town of Coeur de Bethlehem, is a magic user named Laura Robinson. She is a housewife who practices potentially dangerous magic for a few hours each day while her husband is at work and her children are at school. Her house is magically warded to alert her of potential intruders, and those who wish to gain access to her magical knowledge must push themselves through a warding circle that deals Dangerous levels of force damage to prove that they are capable of wielding such power.

Passing Laura's test will allow a character to learn a new spell, even if they are not normally a spellcaster. Casters can learn any two cantrips or a single Level 1 spell of any class. The level 1 spell is always prepared and can only be cast once a day. Non-casters can choose either a single level 2 spell that is always prepared and can be cast twice per day OR a level 3 spell that is always prepared and can be cast only once per day. These spells must come from the Sorcerer or Warlock classes.

Learning an individual spell requires an amount of time equal to 4 hours X the spell's level (2 cantrips count as a level 1 spell). Laura will only work on one spell or two cantrips at a time, and can only work for one 4-hour stretch at a time so that her husband or kids do not find out about her magic. However, nosy neighbors will notice the party is spending significant time with Laura while her husband is gone and assume that she is engaging in marital infidelity. The neighbors will tell Laura's husband about the suspected infidelity once 1d10+2 days have passed, potentially making things difficult for the family and/or party.

Service Station: Total Body Fuel & Repair

Catering primarily to long-haul truckers, Total Body Fuel & Repair is pretty decent at a lot of things but exceptional at none of them. Food, bathrooms, fuel selection, vehicle service, repairs, prices... Everything is about as average as a place can offer.

However, for those poor souls who desire some companionship at night, the services procured might be noteworthy (in both good and bad ways). Masculine, feminine, and neutral presenting sex workers can be found here. A normal transactional encounter here heals 1d8+2 HP at its conclusion, but there is a 10% chance that an encounter does not go as planned. Roll 1d6 on the table below if an unusual encounter occurred:

The individual hired is actually a succubus.

The individual is an undercover vice squad agent who will arrest the john for soliciting.

The hired individual tries to murder and/or rob you

You gain the benefits of a normal transactional encounter... And also some horrible and embarrassing disease that manifests the following day.

You gain the benefit of a normal encounter, but you also accidentally learn the names of some notable local leaders who have also procured this particular person's services.

Things go really, really well and your HP is completely restored and you gain 6 temporary HP on top of that.

Items From Other Hexes

Wayne and Ricky Sanders are two brothers who stole the sculpture from Hex 19. The sculpture is currently hidden in the garage of the house that they share with their elderly chain-smoking mother (Mabel) who is not allowed to drive any more. The brothers are career criminals who have been largely unsuccessful in attempts to get rich quick. They are currently trying to find a person to buy the sculpture from them, as their usual contact to fence goods doesn't deal in art.

[coraniaid]

Lovers Walk isn't my favorite Buffy episode, but this particular stretch of Season 3 episodes (from Homecoming up to Graduation Day) is probably my favorite era of the show.

Partly (perhaps even mostly) that's just tied into my age when I first saw it, and all the resulting nostalgia and emotional resonances, but I do think this phase of the show represents the convergence of a few different trends: the show has a maturity and confidence now that it didn't always have in its first two seasons, but at the same time it still feels like it has interesting new things to say about its characters and it's still grounded in the high-school-as-literal-hell metaphor. This is probably my favorite iteration of the Scooby Gang (with apologies to Tara and Anya and Dawn), and it features probably my favorite Big Bad in the Mayor. Plus, you know, Faith's in this season.

(It's noticeable, too, I think, that we're still in the era where the show can, albeit just barely, still try to maintain the pretence that the current season's villain was around in the previous seasons but just acting behind the scenes. We had hints that Sunnydale's Mayor knew more about the supernatural than he should last year, and this episode we see the Mayor musing that Spike "was up to all sorts of shenanigans last year". Compare this to Season 4's Initiative arc, which just doesn't fit into previously existing continuity at all, or Season 5's arc, which makes it a plot point to actively rewrite that previous continuity in-universe.)

Even the episodes I don't love during this run are still really, really good. Even the episodes that I think are a little bit overrated are still good. Even the episodes without Faith in are good. Even the episode that (Season 2's Go Fish writer) David Fury wrote is good!

And Lovers Walk is probably one of the better episodes of this run. Yes, the plot itself is kind of weak (note in particular the multiple contrivances required for Oz and Cordelia to stumble in on Willow and Xander just as they kiss), but -- as with all the best Buffy episodes, the plot is not particularly the point. This episode is about characters and their relationships and metaphors and parallels and vampires giving monologues in not-entirely-convincing accents. That is what it promises and that is what it delivers.

Other scattered notes from my rewatch:

OK, Faith does not appear in this episode, but she clearly still exists in the world, in a way she very much didn't in Band Candy: the fact she could take over from Buffy as the Slayer if Buffy leaves town is brought up for the first time since Faith, Hope & Trick and will continue to be an issue on and off for the rest of the season in one way or another. My guess is that the writers decided to expand Faith's role either just before or just after Revelations, which is why she can't just vanish without a word now and why she'll be mentioned in every episode she doesn't appear in between now and the end of the season (with the notable exception of Gingerbread, which I suspect might have originally been intended to appear slightly earlier in the season than it actually did, in much the same way that Go Fish was originally written to appear before Angel lost his soul in Season 2).

Buffy's SAT scores are probably a little implausibly high (even though, yes, the show has consistently shown us that Buffy is actually very smart and cares about doing well in school, preparation and practice and revision are still huge factors in doing well in these sorts of standardized tests and Buffy simply hasn't had the time to do this) and, equally, I don't think the sorts of colleges Giles and Joyce are talking about Buffy going to now would ignore her entire academic record and lack of (non-vampire-related) extracurriculars simply because she has a very high SAT score. On the other hand, I really like the idea of Buffy going to college (both next season and/or post-Chosen) so on balance I simply don't care about this.

I said I wouldn't dwell on the details of the plot, but come on: the writers needed to have Giles be away on a convenient retreat (so that Oz and Cordelia would have to drive to fetch him) and have Oz develop brand new magical werewolf senses (so he could track Willow down by scent, from inside his van?), just to set up the scene of Oz and Cordelia walking in to the factory to rescue Xander and Willow at exactly the wrong moment? They couldn't just have Buffy call them up at the library from her Mom's house and suggest they head to the factory? (The factory in which she already suspects Spike has them hidden?)

Yes, it's very silly and yes, given later behind-the-scenes events it's kind of in bad taste, but I can't lie: I think the funeral fake-out scene for Cordelia is very, very funny.

Willow's attempted "de-lusting" spell -- which she explicitly wants to cast on Xander without his consent -- is a good bit of foreshadowing for Willow's character arc in Season 6, and equally Xander's horrified reaction to finding out that Willow is planning to do some sort of love spell is a nice bit of continuity with last season.

"I can fool Giles, I can fool my friends, but I can't fool myself," says Buffy of her feelings for Angel, having spent the last two episodes very clearly failing to fool either Giles or her friends but apparently doing a pretty good job of fooling herself.

[referrix]

In case anyone was wondering, at all, when I said in my last post I was having some maths fails...

The problem with my brief foray into "measuring things in Stellas" back in January, is that for the most part, the exterior shots of Alfea are (or seem to be*) CG. It's done in a way that matches the visuals and vibes of the cartoon portion of the show, but as far as I'm aware, the majority of outside shots are done with characters drawn on top of the CG environment.

This leads to some... interesting discrepancies in the comparative sizes between characters and environmental objects like the main entrance to Alfea.

(* when I say 'seems to be,' there are some discrepancies like moving window placement and missing grass patches in some episodes which suggests they aren't simply doing tracking shots over a single, base model.)

Using some guesstimations to calculate the width of the double doors of the two side buildings and the area around them, I came to a width of 4.5 meters, and this matters because the central pathway of the courtyard that runs between them seems to be roughly the same width. Using that measurement an the most overhead close up I could find from my collection, I've estimated the width of the central path running from the gate to the central building to be roughly 5.62 meters.

The edge of the pathway looks like it matches up with the outer edge of the gate's arch, where the two curves (archway and wall) kiss into the dirt. (These points are marked with green dots in the top picture, and the one below.)

From there, working on the assumption that that length was 5.62 m in total, I used my line and stamp method (where I draw a line and use the paint program's stamp feature to copy the line exactly and move it and stamp it repeatedly to see how many time's one length fits against another) to figure out what fraction of the gate is gate and how much was archway.

The arch's width didn't quite measure the same as the gate's opening at ground level, but some checking of the difference revealed the arch was ¾ of the gate, and thus, the gate was ⁴∕₇ of the total width.

5.62 = ⁷∕₇ ∴ 5.62/7 = ¹∕₇ = 0.802857 = .802 meters

the arch total width ³∕₇ = 0.802 * 3 = 2.408 m ∴ 1 arch width = 2.408 / 2 = 1.204 m

the gate at ground level ⁴∕₇ = 0.802 * 4 = 3.211 m ∴ from arch to gate center (one wing at ground level) = 3.211 / 2 = 1.605 m

using the base line measures at ground level, the stamp method and the flip by 90° function, I roughly calculated the gate opening at the widest point to be just shy of 2.4 m from the center, or just shy of 4.8 meters across and sitting at about 1.86 m from the ground.

given my door based height guesstimate of Stella's height (and thereby the average height of the Winx) at roughly 1.75 m, this puts the max width just above their heads.

looking into some architecture based person dimensions to see how the various shots of people and the gate stack up, I used the average shoulder width of (405mm or) .405 m.

I first checked if the five girls could stand shoulder to shoulder in the gateway and found they could. Then I checked if they would have room between them, assuming half a person width on either side (between each other and the arch) for 3 more people widths.

.405 * 5 = 2.025 m .405 * 8 = 3.24 m

Looking at this shot, the point of max width in the gate is sitting at just above their heads, right about where I'd expect given the height assumption.

This shot is therefore what I'd consider to be the most realistic in terms of person vs environment sizing.

More importantly, or equally importantly? The School busses.

Doing some digging, I discovered that the most types of busses have a width of 2.55m (thought the height can range from 2.67 to 3.81m) which means I feel pretty confidant that the Alfea school busses could clear the gate if my calculations are correct.

Along the font fence-line, on the outside stretches (as marked by the two front towers) there are two more gates, both 'one-winged' single gates. A quick measure suggests that the single gates + arches are roughly the same width as the double gates at ground level, which if the arches are the same width as the doubles and the single wings are the same as the individual wings on the main entrance:

arches = 1.2m * 2 = 2.4m total + single gate wing 1.6m = 4m at the outside of the arch at ground level

although given the lack of curve on the inside of the two archways could make them slightly slimmer, 4 m does seem to fit with the path beyond them in comparison to the central path in the courtyard.

I need you all to understand that as convoluted as calculating the gate width is, it is still less nonsensical than the windows in the Winx Dorms.

[alissawrites-blog]

Chapter 1: Rasmus

4 years ago at Emperor's court.

Clan leader Rasmus Dark was summoned on an audience with His Imperial Majesty Dorian the Great. He arrived half an hour ago, accompanied by his devoted escort. All dressed in finest silks with streaks of onyx color a party of flying men made an impression to the townsfolk. They were greeted by immense and lofty buildings with folded ceramic tiles that stretched up to the mountainside. A long and swift waterfall foamed at the top of the capital beside Emperor's Palace, which had black-golden threaded outlines and tall, eye-catching tea trees.

Now, walking behind court's eunuch Flavian, whom everyone secretly called runt, Rasmus could only guess what Dorian wanted of him.

The letter he received several days ago was very brief and screamed of its urgency. His lady wife warned not to test Emperor's patience and leave as soon, as it was possible. She would take care of their palace in his stead. Rasmus never doubted Felicia and her abilities. He considered her as his equal. Two parts of the same coin they were.

Clan leader furrowed his brows, when his companion suddenly stopped next to the guards.

"Your weapon please, Master Dark," Flavian turned to him with a polite smile. "You know well the rules."

Emperor was always cautious, especially with invited guests. Nobody could enter his throne room with weapons in hands. Actually, no one could enter the Royal Palace without being inspected. The guards on the city walls examined their party a while ago.

Still with a somber look in his eyes, Rasmus obeyed and handed his scabbard with plain steel in it. Dorian must understand that such powerful man as me doesn't need a sword to manage dark energy. If I wanted to hurt him, I could do it with my own hands.

"Thank you, Master," runt took the sword with a light bow and gestured to the guards, "open up the doors for our friend."

Wards did as they were told and in a few moments massive ebony wooden doors burst open. Eunuch stepped forward and entered throne room first, Clan leader Dark steady and confidently following him with the guards in the rear. In six years nothing really changed here.

Rasmus scrutinized the room with apathetic expression. The same marble tiles, high ceiling with patterns of strewn gold, pots of incense everywhere and in the center, at the top of the steps, seated on a black wooden carved throne, was the Emperor himself. He wore a sable hanfu, painted with golden dragon features, perfectly emphasizing his slim figure and a pearly royal barrette that adorned his shiny crow hair.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Clan leader Rasmus Dark arrived at your call," bowed deeply eunuch, eyes on his boots.

"I see," Dorian's heedful purple eyes shone with delight at the sight of a man in front of him. "Thank you Flavian. You may take your leave. "

Bowing one more time, runt turned his back to Emperor, when suddenly Dorian drawled: "Actually...you may all be dismissed. Leave me and Clan leader Dark alone."

Flavian evaporated at the exact same moment, servants and guards with him. Only then His Majesty shifted in his throne, offering a taunting smile. "Well, well, look who finally graced me with his presence, Clan leader Rasmus Dark. Come here."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, forcing his lips into a smile and took a few steps closer. "Yes, it's been a while Your Highness."

"How's your wife Rasmus? I heard Lady Felicia has been attending public events more often. Decided to get out of your hole after all?" mocked Dorian with that annoying smirk of his.

"Haughty turkey,"Rasmus thought to himself.  "Your Highness has a witty mind. In fact, we've been thinking of leaving the shadows. I believe it is time to reclaim our known power and respect."

"Oh, I almost forgot about your past great leader status among clans. I should've known you'd want to get that glory again." Emperor pretended to sound innocent, but his eyes spoke of sneering.

Clan leader Dark gritted his teeth, managing rising anger in his voice: "It is never late to return our roots. I hope Your Majesty wouldn't mind this decision to be made."

"Eh, Rasmus as you know I don't interfere in your magic disputes," Dorian idly replied. For as long as it doesn't concern your interest and purpose. "So, do as you wish. I'll just stay in the background and entertain myself. I bet those proud mages will get defensive of their high position. What a laughable show."

Rasmus only bowed his head, as a thanking gesture. If it's just a game to him, I should provide a good show. So he'll remember it very well.

"I bet you wondering, why I sent after you so urgently and suddenly," after a small pause, stated Dorian.

"From your letter it seemed like a matter between life and death," confirmed Rasmus half-seriously, half-mockingly.

To his surprise, Emperor got off his throne and vigorously made the way to Clan leader Dark. His posture and face muscles were tightened, gaze jumpy and fussy. Am I dreaming, or is our beloved Dorain the Great afraid of something?

"Rasmus, jokes aside," His Imperial Majesty pulled at man's sleeve, with penetrating gaze to the bones, "They are back."

"What? Who? What do you mean?" Clan leader was taken aback; he forgot all stupid quarrels and disputes with Dorian.

"Those ancient dark creatures that were long ago forgotten," muffled Emperor, fear clearly visible in his eyes, "Shadow Demons."

"You might be mistaken, they are all-..."

"Extinct! I know it very well!" he snapped, unable to control his emotions. "Brother, you're the only one who I can trust with this. Don't make me regret sending after you."

Even though we separated from each other and didn't talk much these few years, he still cares about the bond that we used to share.

"Our ancestors made a strong alliance, Rasmus. They saved each other by creating a powerful union that lasts now over hundred years. I ask you like my brother," Dorian sighed and stared at him earnestly. "Help me to protect my people. They live carefree and airily, not aware of the cruel things that happen behind capital's borders. I don't want them to suffer or die. They deserve peace."

Dorian might be a total jerk, but he indeed worries and cares about common folk. Those innocent people are so dear to him; he'll do everything in his power to guard them. It's worthy of respect.

"What made you think it were them?" Clan leader Dark inquired, changing subjects.

"A corpse," swiftly recalled Emperor, "two guards that night brought a dead man. The body was mutilated; guts with the rest of organs spilled out and face nearly carved. Nobody slaughters that savagely."

He is right. No one is able to forge this specific ruthless style of torture. Shadow demons are back. But who is their Master? And why they decided to show themselves only now?

"Where I'll have to go to do my job?" straightforwardly asked Rasmus.

"Young fellows Bao and Sahar and will show you the way," Dorian hesitated, looking restlessly, "be careful, brother. If these creatures are out of your control, don't think twice, just run back. We will then decide what to do instead."

Clan leader Dark only bowed and hasted to the wooden doors, wishing to end this all soon. "You heard me?" nervously bellowed Emperor.

"Yes, brother, will do as you said," not turning around, shouted back Rasmus and went outside.

Guards that greeted him and Flavian before still remained, so Clan leader Dark cleared his throat to gain attention. "Bring me back my sword and send after border warders Sahar and Bao."

They turned their heads and glanced at Rasmus incredulously, clearly not wanting to obey. Suppressing another influx of annoyance, Clan leader Dark stiffly said: "His Majesty's orders."

The guards shared a single look with each other, exclaimed "Will be done!" and then, in a wink disappeared from the spot.

With a heavy sigh, Rasmus gazed at a setting sun above capital's harbor. Warm rays of gleaming orange pleasantly touched his stubble covered face. He plunged into deep thinking. Dorian is so desperate that he had to call upon me. He hopes I could find a source of a problem and get rid of it. Even though our relationship is strained, he expects me to help him out of brother's love. Rasmus chuckled silently. I'll do it, but not for him. I am now intrigued by those dark creatures and especially their Master. I can try claiming their power, maybe even save some for Felicia. Our clan needs to rise with pride again. He suddenly shifted, remembering approaching big event. My sons Philip and Isaac must well present our clan in annual beast hunt. They can't fail, or I'll skin them myself.

"Clan leader Dark!" someone called from behind.

Rasmus turned and found two curly-haired lads with lances in hands. One of them was holding his sword. "You must be Bao and Sahar."

"Yes, Master Dark. We were told that His Highness wants to see us."

"Give me my sword," ordered Rasmus firstly. Poor guys ran together and promptly handed in the scabbard with plain steel in it. "Actually it's me who's been looking for you. His Imperial Majesty told me about the corpse you two found the other day." Peering up, Clan leader Dark saw their anxious faces and tried his best to uphold the coming smirk. "He has planned to send me in the woods, where the accident happened."

"A-accident?" timidly asked one of them. "Master Dark, not to sound rude, b-but...I-I think it's a brutal murder. And judging by the cruel methods that were chosen, it might be..."

"Shhhhhh," Rasmus put a finger to his lips and the youth immediately fell silent. "I know who it might be. However, there's still a need to check upon the spot, don't you agree?"

"Y-yes, Master," the fellow nodded his head multiple times.

"Good. Show me the way then."

Guys did as it was bid. They took off to the sunset sky that shimmered with strongly red, orange and yellow, and headed to the up top mountains, surrounded by Great Greenwood. Rasmus followed quickly behind without sparing a single word. He was now determined to unravel the mystery.

Chaps were swift enough to reach the place in a couple of minutes. Tall cedars and pines circled the area where they softly landed. Lads gazed at Clan leader Dark with awe. "Here we found him."

Rasmus examined the surroundings and lazily said: "Your work is done here. Leave the rest for the elder."

"You can't mean it, Master. We won't leave you alone, we may help you with-..."

Rasmus loudly chortled while youths stood there confused and embarrassed. "You are only green boys. You'll die the second you see the Shadow Demons. You'll be a hindrance for me." Fellows lowered their heads, cheeks red.

Having a good laugh, Clan leader Dark turned, and without hesitation went forward into the woods. "Leave now or you'll not make it out of here alive!" Lads shared a dull look and with a pitiful sigh, took to air. Their silhouettes disappeared in dawning clouds soon enough.

Drawing his sword, Rasmus slowly paced with ears strained up and eyes scanning the territory. Each blow of a cold wind and quiet rustle of leaves would not go unnoticed. He was strung and taught, focused on nature's sounds. Step by step he plunged deeper.

By that time, he reached the inner depth of Great Greenwood; darkness has long fallen on the horizon. Everything around him was pitching black, although the moonlight helped him to distinguish certain object outlines. As each member of his clan, Clan leader Dark, as a child learned how to rely on his five senses, so it would be easier for him to accept family roots and spiritual energy. Now he could freely walk in the darkness, without fearing of being trapped.

A sudden branch cracking interrupted his peace unity with night woods. It is time. For a moment, Rasmus stopped breathing, wishing to catch the slightest signals of potential foe's location. There was a frightening silence and no motion. And then, he caught the change in the air streams. Ducking down in time, Clan leader Dark saved his head from being torn apart. Long sharp horns passed through the air and the Shadow Demon disgruntled.

"I was waiting for you," licked his lips in excitement Master Dark before attacking the creature.

His sword sparkled with a silver stroke and was swift in its movements. Striking beast's chest, Rasmus received a hard blow in return. Demon apparently smashed his loin area with the flap of wings. Suppressing the groan of pain, Clan leader Dark sucked in air and rolled to his right. The sword that was squeezed in his hand was full of dark energy within. Using his clan techniques, Master Dark cut through his way and hit the spot between creature's eyes. The monster wailed in agony, swinging acute nails to scratch opponent's face. Rasmus got away from the blow and tried to plunge his sword into demon's heart, however the dark creature was now furious and began to flap its strong wings, forcing Clan leader Dark to bend down. He was getting annoyed and irritated, mumbling curses under his breath. Throwing a wave attack at Shadow Demon, the dark being roared and flew a few leagues away. That gave Rasmus the opportunity to regroup. He stroked the cold metal under his fingers and in that exact moment the silver steel glistened with his clan symbols. Doing a circle move with it, he eventually sent the sword in the flight. The sharp weapon scrolled in the air and the instant it must've pierced right into Shadow Demon's heart, somebody beat off the charge.

The unknown figure in indigo hood appeared in front of the monster, covering it with his back. Rasmus squinted, but unfortunately could not tell who the person might be. "In the name of His Imperial Highness, I command you to show yourself!"

Stranger did not stir, however the quiet bits of his laugh reached Rasmus ears. Clan leader Dark clenched sword with a hard power, understanding that it might be Demon's Master, the main haul.

"Hush, dear," the person whispered to Shadow Demon, when he began to whimper, "I'll heal your wound later."

"Who are you? And what do you want of Emperor Dorian the Great?" in fury snapped Rasmus.

"I don't give a shit about Emperor or his throne," frigidly returned the unknown figure. "I lured you out not just like that."

"Me?" Clan leader Dark didn't expect this answer, he was taken aback.

"Yes, you, fool. I know for sure you are looking for Seal of the Seven Elements. And don't try to convince me otherwise. I'm here to offer you a deal."

Emotions quickly changed on his face. Master Dark was in dismay. "Name the conditions and I might think."

"I won't ask much, just a small favor," Rasmus could hear the jibe in his voice.

"And what it will be?" impatiently asked Clan leader Dark.

"Marry your elder son to Haylee Light, Clan leader Light's daughter."

*** The visuals for this chapter:

Emperor Dorian the Great He is a dilf, in his early thirties😩

Clan leader Rasmus Dark He is also a dilf, so just assume he has a stubble of beard😭

Shadow Demon

The Emperor's Palace:

In the next chapther you'll meet one of the main characters) I don't know when i'll update the story, but promise not to delay it for too long. Stay safe and keep yourself warm<3